DOORS OPENED FOR SOME FANS
HE HAS THE WORLD AT HIS FEET SAYS BRUCE
EFL teams will welcome fans back to their stadiums today – but only in indoor hospitality areas.
Middlesbrough are one of a handful of clubs legitimately using their bar and function rooms as they allow supporters in for the clash with Reading at the Riverside.
Boro say the initiative will see them host dozens of spectators and raise
NEWCASTLE V MAN UTD 8PM, SKY SPORTS BOX OFFICE
ALLAN SAINT- MAXIMIN has been backed to become Newcastle’s new David Ginola.
The French winger penned a six- year contract this week, doubling his money to about £ 70,000 a week, and Steve Bruce has laid down a fresh challenge to his player.
Ginola, right, was a hero on Tyneside during the Kevin Keegan era in the 1990s and the current Toon boss believes a thriving Saint- Maximin can have a similar impact.
“The next step is for him to be part of the history of this great club,” Bruce said ahead of today’s game with Manchester United. “Can he be a Ginola? He can be anything he wants.
“I hope that maturity will come and that he keeps the maverick in him that makes him the player he is. He scored a goal in training the other day and it was ludicrous how good it was. He is jumping around the place this week. He’s had a nice new pay deal and he couldn’t be happier.
“We have seen his impact in the past 12 months. He has been excellent. His best years are ahead of him. He is only 23 and he has committed his future.
“I get to hear about his social media and he is as big a star on that as on the pitch. He is a really bright lad. Intelligent. He is great to have around the place. “We’ve seen what Allan can do, just look at Burnley. Only he can score the first goal, he sent four of them the wrong way. His natural ability is quite remarkable. Let’s hope it’s his day again. He has to be more consistent and more disciplined at times, but he has the world at his feet.”
Newcastle chief scout Steve Nickson has been cited by Saint- Maximin as a key influence with chats and advice.
Bruce added: “Steve was instrumental in bringing him to the club. He can associate with him behind the scenes and quietly behind the scenes tried to look after him. That goes for all my staff.
“We want to keep all the players happy. The way we look after them with housing, we feed them, we even have someone who pays their bills. I’ve never had anyone pay a gas bill or a car park fine.”