Sunderland manager Michael Beale hails Northern Ireland defender after bizarre handshake snub

Northern Ireland defender Trai Hume playing for club Sunderland

Sunderland manager Michael Beale has described Northern Ireland defender Trai Hume as “an example of everything that is good about a young footballer and our team” after bizarrely snubbing the player after substituting him in their 2-1 loss to Birmingham City.

Trailing by a goal in the 88th minute of the Championship game at St Andrew’s, Beale made the decision to bring off the 21-year-old for Portuguese striker Luis Semedo in a bid to find an equaliser.

But footage from the touchline showed Hume reaching his hand out for a handshake from his boss after being brought off, only for Beale to completely blank his defender, not even looking in his direction as he walked past.

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Unsurprisingly, speculation quickly mounted on social media as to why this took place, particularly since former Linfield star Hume has been one of the Black Cats’ top performers this season.

But Beale moved quickly to dismiss any claims that the pair had fallen out, insisting he has an excellent relationship with Hume.

Speaking to BBC Radio Newcastle, Beale said: "I didn't see him, to be honest.

"Trai passed a fitness test to play today and he was on a booking, so it was easier to keep Leo (Hjelde, Sunderland’s other centre-back) on when we made the change. If I've missed him, I'll have to go and see him now and say that to him.

"Listen, he is probably as close to me as any other player in the squad. There was nothing there between me and him, I honestly didn't see him."

The manager would