Gray ready to put ‘homophobic’ tweets behind him

London (AFP) – Burnley striker Andre Gray says he wants to move on now he has returned to first-team action following a four-game ban for homophobic tweets he made several years ago.

The 25-year-old — who played in Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Manchester United in the Premier League — published the tweets when he was a non-league player in 2012, but they resurfaced on social media in August.

“I’m glad it’s over with. It’s obviously a long time ago now so it’s been frustrating,” said Gray on Monday.

“It is what it is at the end of the day so I’ve just got to get on with it and keep my head down.

“I’ve come here to play football and play at the highest level, so it was just another bump in the road.

“It’s over with now and I’m just going to move on with my career.”

Gray, who was playing for non-league side Hinckley United when he made the offensive tweets, admitted it had not been easy sitting on the sidelines unable to play. 

“It’s been difficult,” said Gray, who was last season’s Championship (second tier) player of the year for his immense role in helping Burnley regain their Premier League status.

“I’ve been training and having to do extras.

“It’s hard because you want to be playing. I’ve just kept my head down, really, tried to stay fit and just got on with it.

“It’s like the manager (Sean Dyche) said — it’s what comes with the territory. It’s where I wanted to be and it’s just one of those things.”