"In a good place" - Jordan Gibson update after Doncaster Rovers star subjected to racist abuse
Grant McCann, the Doncaster Rovers manager, says Jordan Gibson is "in a good place" after being subjected to racist abuse online earlier this week.
Winger Gibson revealed the abuse on X, formerly Twitter, at the start of this week following Rovers’ 3-1 win over his former Bradford City last Saturday.
West Yorkshire Police have since said a 28-year-old man is in custody over the incident.
Both Rovers and City condemned the abuse.
Speaking to the local media yesterday lunchtime, manager McCann says his player has ‘good people around him’ following the incident.
“I think ourselves and Bradford have been really good in terms of what they’ve done,” McCann said in relation to both clubs’ condemnation of the incident.
“Obviously nobody wants to see anything like that in football.
“There’s absolutely no place for any of that sort of nonsense.
“Both clubs have worked together with the police and obviously done their work on it so it’s in the hands of good people.
“Jordan’s in a good place. He’s flying from last week, did well in the game and trained really well this week.
“He’s got good people around him, good teammates, good staff and the football club has been really supportive of Jordan.
“There’s just no place for it and social media is such a dark place at times, particularly Twitter/X and it feels like people can just say what they want about you and nothing, a lot of the time, gets done about it.
“So I’m pleased this time that something has been done about it because there’s absolutely no place in any walk of life for that sort of nonsense that was sent out.”
Meanwhile, title-winning winger Kyle Hurst has been left off Rovers’ official squad list to the English Football League.
Following the recent closure of the transfer window, all clubs were permitted to send their lists with a maximum of 22 senior spaces available.
Rovers have filled 20 of those spots which theoretically means they could add a couple of free agents, if they so wish.
Goalkeepers and players who are under the age of 21 do not need to be registered, which explains the absence of the likes of Thimothee Lo-Tutala, Ian Lawlor and Damola Ajayi.
Interestingly, Hurst's name is not on the senior list for now.
Hurst, aged 23, is currently out on loan at Gateshead until January although if an injury crisis occurs at his parent club then he could be added to one of the existing spaces.
Clubs will be asked to submit a new list at the end of the January transfer window.