Byrne insists his conscience is clear following Athletic exit

Exciting attacking midfielder Jack Byrne has spoken for the first time about his acrimonious exit from Athletic.

The 22-year-old Irishman has now found a new home at Kilmarnock, but despite leaving Boundary Park on August 31 after it was mutually agreed that his contract should be terminated, Byrne does not appear to bear a grudge against his former employers.

Byrne was banished from the top-team squad and forced to train with the kids for allegedly breaching club rules earlier this season.

Manager Frankie Bunn publicly criticised him for being unprofessional before his contract was terminated.

However, Byrne appears keen to move on and look to the future.

He told Scottish newspaper, the National: "I can’t really say anything on the matter.

"The club don’t want me to.

"But my conscience is clear, 100-per-cent.

“I think most people [down there] know what went on.

"They got relegated, I was probably one of the higher earners and they needed me to go.

“I needed to go as well to further my career. That was all it was; there wasn’t anything else to it.

"But it probably could have been handled a little bit better. It is what it is; that’s football.

“They criticised me but that’s people trying to force your hand to do something you don’t maybe want to do at the time.

"Maybe it was to get something over the line that benefits the club more than the player. That’s all that is, I think.”

Life has been turbulent for Byrne, who came through Manchester City’s academy just behind Dedryck Boyata and nearly signed for Hearts last January.

He had a good loan spell with Cambuur in Holland, but a disastrous time at Blackburn and then a short-lived move to Wigan preceded his time at Athletic.

He scored eight goals in 44 Athletic appearances last season.

Now Byrne is hoping that a fresh start at Killie can kick-start his career.

“I probably should have stayed in Holland for an extra year,” Byrne said.

“I did well there, broke into the Ireland squad and then went to Blackburn on loan.

"I was told I was going to play as a number 10, but when I went there they played 4-4-2 under Owen Coyle and I don’t think it suited my style of play.

“Wigan came for me in January last year, but Warren Joyce was sacked a month later when I was just getting back fit and into the team.

"Wigan tried to do a swap deal with Hearts for Jamie Walker in January this year but it didn’t materialise and I ended up going to Oldham.

“But I’m here now, playing under a really good manager (Steve Clarke).

"I’m just looking to learn, looking to try and get my career back on a steady track again.”

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