Michael Gray has this morning started a 4-month loan, which will see him move north of the border to SPL side Celtic.
The former Sunderland skipper, has signed a loan deal with Martin O’Neill’s side, which will keep him at Parkhead until December 31.
Gray, the Black Cats’ longest-serving player, has made more than 400 appearances for his hometown club since signing 11 years ago. He made his first team debut at Derby County and his first full appearance against Barnsley in December 1992 where he scored in the first minute of the game.
And Mickey said today that he hopes the move will become a permanent one. “I now have four months and I will give it the best I can. It gives me something to push for – if something comes after that then it happens.
“A longer deal is obviously what can come from this. I have got to get myself in the team first which is going to be difficult. I am hoping to last longer than four months which is something to push for.”
Left-back Gray said he’d turned down a move to Marseilles in favour of Parkhead, and joked “I was told it’s warmer here so I jumped at the chance to come here!
“I have been up here a few times to watch Rangers and Celtic games and I just fell in love with it.”
Gray will join his former Sunderland team-mate Stanislav Varga in Glasgow, and the Slovakian said of Mickey’s loan deal “When I first went (to Sunderland) he was the captain and he really helped me to settle in. It’ll be nice to return the favour here. He has been capped for England and he is an experienced player. With the Champions League coming up it is important to have players like that at the club and I’m sure that he’ll do well at Celtic.”
Mickey Gray
Position: Defender
Age: 29
International caps: 3
Sunderland apps: 410
Sunderland goals: 17
