TRIPP THE LIGHT FANTASTIC
Mac hopes star can be new ‘Killer’
TERRY McDERMOTT is hoping that Toon transfer window arrival Kieran Trippier can be the new Brian ‘Killer’ Kilcline – and help Newcastle avoid the drop.
Almost 30 years ago, McDermott and Kevin Keegan were parachuted in by the Geordies, who were facing relegation to football’s third tier.
New owner Sir John Hall had ended Keegan’s Spanish exile by asking him to become manager with McDermott, joining his one-time Liverpool and Newcastle team-mate as assistant.
“Our first signing was Brian Kilcline and, to this day, Kevin rates ‘Killer’ as his best-ever signing. If Kieran Trippier can have the same impact, then fantastic,” said McDermott.
“Brian was brilliant. Whenever Kevin is asked at talk-ins who was our best signing he always comes out with the first – Brian Kilcline.
“He was a leader of men and the catalyst for others.”
This time around, under Eddie Howe, it’s all about defying the odds to keep their Premier League status for the new Saudi owners.
McDermott added: “I believe it’s a very good signing. It has set the right marker and I’m sure there will be more to come. It’s vital that Newcastle get the right players in because, with the threat of relegation, they have got to hit the ground running.
“They have started off well. You can’t bring players in for the sake of it, they have got to be right on and off the pitch. I’m pleasantly surprised that Newcastle have managed to attract him because he helped Atletico Madrid win La Liga last season.
“I know the Newcastle fans are delighted because Trippier is a quality player, there’s no doubt about that.
“We will now have to see who joins him, but it’s not a bad opening statement of intent. It shows the new owners mean business.
“You’ve got to get it right with your first signings and almost 30 years ago we did just that with Killer. Let’s hope that history will repeat itself.”
With Kilcline (above) at the heart of the defence, Newcastle scrapped for survival and secured their place in the old First Division on the last day of the season.
Other arrivals followed, including Andy Cole, Rob Lee, Paul Bracewell and John Beresford, as Newcastle won promotion the next season into the Premier
League. Anxious Newcastle fans will be hoping that, like Kilcline, England defender Trippier can act as a footballing Pied Piper, paving the way for other big names to follow him.
Under former owner Mike Ashley, Howe’s managerial predecessor Steve Bruce couldn’t even afford the loan fee – believed to be less than £1million – to bring Leicester midfielder Hamza Choudhury to St James’ Park last summer. Now, bigger investment in players has been promised and the £12m – rising to a possible £16m – fee for Trippier is the start.
Lee Clark, who was part of the Keegan squad, added: “We need players who are up for the fight like Brian Kilcline. He was a leader, who grabbed people by the scruff of the neck.
“He was a good example, especially to the young players, about doing things right on and off the pitch.”
Another Toon legend, Nobby Solano, added: “What we need now are players who understand the club and the situation we’re in.
“I certainly think Kieran Trippier is one of those – and is a great signing.”