Harps on KK

As the one remaining Newcastle player from the original Keegan era Steve Harper has voiced his opinion on the second coming of Shearer as manager, hailing the appointment as a masterstroke. Harps said:

'I was in shock. Kevin's name had been bandied about but I never believed it. It's amazing. On Saturday against Manchester United, the players couldn't have been any lower but from 4.15 today and with this result our mood couldn't be any better. That's Newcastle United for you, it's incredible. Now he's back it's a case of fasten your seat-belts, here we go.

I'm the only player left from those times, I was just a young lad when he came last time but he took us from the brink of going into the old Third Division to title challengers. Kevin left 11 years ago and there's been seven or eight managers in the meantime that have given it their best shot.

It's gone full-circle and it's incredible the lift it's given everyone. He just walks into the room and a player grows by 20 per cent. If he has that effect again, and I'm sure he will, then the world's our oyster.'