Demarai Gray: Gary Rowett says Birmingham forward at 'right place'
- Published
Demarai Gray has started 13 league games for Birmingham City
Birmingham City manager Gary Rowett has said he feels the club is the right place for youngster Demarai Gray, after reports of interest from other parties.
On Thursday, the club said they had rejected bids, external for the 18-year-old England Under-19 forward.
"I think he's at the right place at the moment," Rowett told BBC WM 95.6.
"He's developing well. He's a very good player and he's showing his skills in the Championship, which is a very tough league to play in at 18 years of age."
Gray, who has been with the club since he was seven and signed his first professional deal in 2013, has made 20 appearances for the Blues so far this season, scoring four goals.
Goal-threat from Gray |
|---|
Demarai Gray became the youngest Blues player to score a hat-trick since Trevor Francis in February 1971, when he netted three times in the space of 34 first-half minutes against Reading on 13 December. |
He has now started seven consecutive league games under Birmingham boss Gary Rowett. |
In those seven games, Blues have scored 13 of their 27 league goals so far this campaign - after a run of just two goals from their previous six games. |
"He's a young player who obviously we want to keep," Rowett added.
"But we're also realistic in that, when a young player does well, he is going to attract attention. We can't stop people making offers for his services."
When asked to comment on reports linking Gray with bids from Championship leaders Bournemouth, Rowett said: "I am aware of their interest, as we're aware of quite a few clubs' interest.
"Obviously, if and when the club get a bid that they think is relevant, then they'll tell me about it.
"At the moment, I would say there's probably not many 18-year-olds in the country better than Demarai Gray."
- Published15 December 2014
- Published13 December 2014
- Published9 December 2013
- Published20 June 2016
- Published7 June 2019
