New Toon in dream land

THE private jet that flew Alexander Isak to Newcastle on Thursday was the most tracked plane in the world.

Not since the mid-90s and Kevin Keegan’s battle to make Newcastle title winners has there been anticipation like this on Tyneside.

Of course Eddie Howe’s organised, spirited outfit are not yet close to the style and achievements of Keegan’s Entertainers, and that near Premier League title miss in 1996.

Or close to Sir Bobby Robson’s team of the early 2000s who finished fourth, third then fifth and were, at that point, on a par financially and football-wise with Liverpool and Chelsea.

But there is a gathering of momentum and an unleashing of the football passion and obsession that was quelled by 14 years of Mike Ashley’s regime.

For Isak’s (left) jet, and Bruno Guimaraes’ kickabout in a Jesmond garden with Lucas Paqueta, think Tino Asprilla’s fur coat in the snow. Those kind of quirky moments live with supporters.

What Amanda Staveley and Co have cleverly done since the takeover in October is reignite the ambition of Newcastle.

Fans have responded by snapping up season tickets, funding flags for St James’ Park, and for the first time in years kids are newly engaged in following their club with fervour.

With £200million spent since January, it is quite a transformation to recent transfer deadline weeks of the past when Andy Carroll arrived on a free, or last season when Hamza Choudhury missed out on a move because Newcastle wouldn’t pay a loan fee.

We can keep a suspicious, scrutinising eye on happenings in Saudi Arabia, whose Public Investment Fund owns 80 per cent of United.

But Toon fans are supporting their team, not the Saudi regime, as they start to dream.