Greg Bird says James Roberts used the contract forgery scandal as an excuse to get out of his Gold Coast contract.

The Titans and NSW State of Origin player had some harsh words for his former teammate after the Dally M centre of the year knocked back a revised deal from the NRL club.

Bird said Roberts was destined to leave the club and used his contract drama as an excuse.

“I’m pretty sure (the forgery drama) had nothing to do with Jimmy wanting to leave,” Bird said on Tuesday.

“If Jimmy wanted to leave, he would have got out whether he had those contract problems or not.”