Chief shrugs off Shearer’s criticism: Players and staff do care

STEVE Bruce has hit back at criticism from Newcastle legend Alan Shearer, saying there are plenty at St James’ Park who care about the club’s future.

Former Magpies striker and boss turned pundit Shearer described his boyhood club as ‘hollow and empty’ on Match of the Day after their 4-1 loss at Manchester United.

Newcastle are yet to win any of their five games this season and signed just one player in the transfer window, while some fans have called on head coach Bruce to leave.

It marks a significant change from Shearer’s playing days, when he arrived for a world-record £15million in 1996 and helped the club to challenge for trophies and qualify for the Champions League.

Since Mike Ashley took over in 2007, United have qualified for Europe once, in 2012, and have been relegated twice, in 2009 and 2016.

Bruce said: “Look, Alan is entitled to his opinion, that is what he gets paid for, that is what his job is now.

“What I will say is there are a lot of people and a nucleus of players who have been here a long time and the club means something to them.

“There are a lot of good people who work at the club who have also been here a long time. They want the club to do well and, unfortunately, we are not doing well enough.

“All Newcastle fans want to see their team competing at the top of the table like they did 20 years ago.

“Unfortunately at this particular moment, we are not there so there is the frustration for everybody concerned.

“My job is to keep us – and I knew this was going to be difficult – on an even keel, try and get on with the job and move the club forward as best I can, which is very, very difficult.”