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Nottingham Post
Nottingham Post
Sport
James Pallatt

A title hat-trick, a goal after 106 seconds and 'a moment of stupidity' - lowdown on Nottingham Forest's £2m 'target' Gavin Whyte

Nottingham Forest are said to be preparing a £2m summer move for Northern Ireland international Gavin Whyte.

The Belfast Telegraph report on Sunday that "rising star Gavin Whyte could be set for a big money move" to the City Ground this summer.

Here is the lowdown on the latest player linked with the Reds...

Crusaders title hat-trick

After graduating from the youth ranks at his hometown club, Belfast-born Whyte won a hat-trick of Premiership titles with Crusaders, in 2015, 2016 and 2018.

His form during the 2017/18 season was particularly impressive as he scored 23 goals in 20 matches to help fire the club to their third league title in four years.

He also helped them win the County Antrim Shield.

Individual accolades followed as he was voted Ulster Footballer of the Year and Northern Ireland Football Writers' Association Player of the Year.

Rico Henry of Brentford battles for possession with Gavin Whyte of Oxford United (Getty Images)

Oxford move

Whyte signed for Oxford on a three-year deal in July 2018, for an undisclosed fee.

He enjoyed an impressive first season in English football, playing 36 matches in League One and scoring seven goals as The U's finished in 12th place.

He memorably scored his first hat-trick in professional football against Shrewsbury Town in April.

Gavin Whyte scores during the international friendly football match between Northern Ireland and Israel at Windsor Park (Getty Images)

 

Northern Ireland call-up

The 23-year-old made an instant impact on his debut for Northern Ireland, scoring with his very first touch.

Coming off the subs' bench in the second half of a friendly against Israel at Windsor Park, he netted after just 106 seconds in a 3-0 victory.

He has won four caps for his country so far, and is in their squad for upcoming Euro 2020 qualifiers.

Gavin Whyte of Northern Ireland and Andreas Ulmer of Austria compete for the ball (Getty Images)

'A moment of stupidity'

Whyte said he was "stupid" after being filmed performing a lewd act in public in January.

Footage showed Whyte and a companion both walking down a road singing and gesturing with their genitals exposed.

"It was a moment of stupidity from me, one I regret very much and which I have to try and learn from," he said.

"I can only apologise to anyone I offended and to those I let down by my behaviour.

"I am embarrassed beyond words but all I can do is try to move on, concentrate on my football, and make sure that nothing like this ever happens again."

Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill said: "Gavin’s actions in the video are clearly unacceptable and fall far below the standards that we expect from a Northern Ireland international.

"I know that Oxford United will discipline him appropriately for this significant mistake and both his club and the Irish FA will put in place measures to make sure that he learns from it."

Oxford manager Karl Robinson said the incident was "totally out of character".

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