Rafa’s man to bring back good times

AARON Hughes believes Newcastle United can compete at the top of the Premier League again soon – as long as Rafa Benitez remains at the helm.

The Northern Ireland international played for the Magpies between 1997 and 2005, and was part of the side which twice qualified for the Champions League under Sir Bobby Robson.

Benitez has managed Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Chelsea, Napoli, Valencia and Liverpool – where he lifted the Champions League title – and Hughes believes he is the perfect coach to bring success back to St James’ Park.

“When things are going well at Newcastle, it’s a great team to play for and it’s a great city to be living in because the excitement and buzz around the place is huge,” said the 37-year-old, who was in the Hearts side which lost 2-1 to Newcastle on Friday night.

“They’ve got a top-class manager now who hopefully can steer them back towards the type of football we enjoyed when I was there.

“Everything is geared for it there; they have the fans, they have the stadium, they have the football-mad city.

“They should be competing towards the top end of the Premier League – they’ve got everything, including the manager now, to be doing that.”

Hughes (pictured below) joined Hearts after stints with Melbourne City and Kerala Blasters, and he was impressed by Newcastle’s performance on Friday.

Dwight Gayle netted a first-half brace to inspire United to victory, and Hughes insists the Magpies displayed their Premier League quality in Edinburgh.

“You don’t come up against that quality all the time up here in Scotland, and they showed just why they are now a Premier League team in the first 10 to 15 minutes – particularly with their touch,” Hughes added.

“It’s a good test for us to play against that type of opposition. “I’m slightly biased, but I hope they can go on and have a good season.

“They’re back there where they belong, they’re back there as a Premier League club like they should be. “Hopefully they go on to have a good season.”