Tottenham ace Gunter unmoved by rumours (From South Wales Argus)

Tottenham ace Gunter unmoved by rumours

11:46am Tuesday 23rd June 2009

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TOTTENHAM and Wales defender Chris Gunter is ignoring the speculation on his future and concentrating on improving for both club and country ahead of the new season.

The 19-year old from Newport has been the subject of paper talk this summer with north east giants Newcastle United apparently keen to take him to St James’ Park.

However, the former Cardiff City man is determined to prove his worth to Spurs boss Harry Redknapp and would prefer a loan move to play regular first team football.

“I don’t know what is happening next season, until I hear differently I am expecting to report back to Tottenham on July 8 for pre-season training,” he told the Argus.

“I have read a few rumours this summer about my future but I don’t want to leave Tottenham and would be happy to go out on loan to get more games under my belt.

“I have always said that I loved my time at Nottingham Forest, I had a great time there and loved working with Billy Davies.

“It’s a great club and if I am going to go out on loan next season, I certainly hope it is to Forest, they would definitely be my number one choice, but of course, it might not be my choice.

“If anything happens I will give my best to whatever club I go to. I have improved at Spurs, training with great players and working under great managers, but I’d love to play 40 or 50 games next season and take that experience back to Tottenham. I have had a great experience there and want to prove I am good enough to play at Spurs.”

Gunter insists last season was a tremendous learning curve for him and he’s determined that his experiences have benefited him as a player.

“Looking back it was a decent season for me, it could of course have been better, but also a lot worse,” he explained.

“I was involved in some really big games for Tottenham; I played at Stamford Bridge, Old Trafford, The Emirates Stadium and we had a good run in the UEFA Cup and I played in virtually every game as well being involved in the Carling Cup final.

“I played in every game for Wales in the qualifiers and then had a great time on loan at Nottingham Forest, so I can say without a doubt that I am a better player than I was 12 months ago.

Perhaps people forget I am only 19 as I have been on the scene for a while. But the thing for me is to continue learning and improving and the best thing would be if in 12 months time I can say again that I have got better as a player.”

Gunter has been as frustrated as anyone at the lack of progress with the national side, but insists the players have not lost any self-belief, particularly in the case of his flat-mate, a certain Aaron Ramsey.

“I think the aim with Wales is to win all three remaining games and then put ourselves into contention for third spot, at the start of the tournament that would’ve been acceptable,” he said.

“The next qualification campaign is crucial for us, we need to really make the fans believe in us again in the remaining games in the World Cup qualifiers, so that they return in bigger numbers to support us for the next one.

“Aaron Ramsey has come in and been fantastic for us. I expected it, he is my housemate and he’s one of a few really good players just coming into the scene now.”

Gunter was back in Newport to show his support for the Gol Football Centre, construction beginning on the state-of-the-art facility on Nash Road.

“We didn’t have facilities like this when I was growing up in the city, I have seen the one in Cardiff and that is really good and it’s a massive thing for youngsters especially to have the opportunity to play football in Newport,” he explained.

It’s really good for me to be involved in things that are happening locally. My family are all still here, I come back all the time, it’s still my home city and I was only too happy to help out.”

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