Lion cubs can roar on the biggest of world stages

THE North East has lost one cant of the region’s signifi with the sporting characters 78. He death of David Beardall, of Wallsend was a former leader a part in Boys Club and played of Alan Shearer, the development Steve Bruce Peter Beardsley, who and Michael Carrick, among others launched their careers at the Tyneside football academy. PAUL HETHERINGTON celebrations with his close United pal Paul Pogba. But he said: “Nobody is going to like everything you do. At the time at West Ham you could see everything happening and obviously, the first thing I did was get my phone out and start recording. “To be fair, the West Ham video was on my private snapchat and that shouldn’t really have got out. “One of my friends must have snaked me out and took the video without me knowing. “It’s just another memory slid in the bank. I think fun plays a massive part in anyone’s life. “I’m the type of guy who is always having a joke but when it comes to the serious stuff, my head is on the game. “As soon as I get on the pitch, it’s all hard work and I have to concentrate on winning. “The papers do pick up on it quickly, and you can be quick to be judged, but you know you can’t really judge anyone unless you speak to them. “I spoke to Rio Ferdinand about it and we had a discussion but that’s just us. “We are happy-go-lucky people and we do what makes us happy. “But at the end of the day, it is football and you want to win. We have players in our squad who have that winning mentality. It rubs off on you. At United, there is Zlatan and you see the boss Jose coming i n and all t he trophies he won.” Lingard wants to remain part of that culture at Old Traf f ord, despite a new contract still not being agreed. He said: “It’s still a case of ongoing talks at the moment. My heart is at Man United.” But Lingard also has an English heart and he is delighted to be reunited with Southgate at senior level, after playing for him for the Under-21s. The best thing about being on the biggest stages? Doing it his way with a smile on his face.