Newcastle United legend Kevin Keegan has heaped praise on the Magpies’ man of the moment Georginio Wijnaldum following the Dutchman’s heroics in Sunday’s 2-0 victory over Liverpool.
Chances were at a premium in a hard-fought encounter until Wijnaldum took it upon himself to grab the game by the scruff of the neck and fire Newcastle to an improbable victory over the in-form Reds.
The 25-year-old’s cross-shot forced Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel to divert into his own net in the 68th minute, and the former PSV captain sparked scenes of unbridled joy around St James Park by deftly chipping the ball over the onrushing Simon Mignolet deep into stoppage time.
Keegan has been impressed by Wijnaldum- who has now scored an eye-catching seven Premier League goals in his debut season – and believes that the £14million summer acquisition could be the best signing that Newcastle have made under controversial owner Mike Ashley.
Speaking to beIN Sport (as quoted by The Chronicle), Keegan said:
Wijnaldum could be the best signing the owner has made. He was fantastic.
“Liverpool weren’t at their best. Newcastle had a bit of luck (with the first goal) but when you’re down the bottom you don’t normally get that kind of luck.
“It normally goes the other way.”
Keegan felt that the Tynesiders were worthy victors against Liverpool, and the former England manager was delighted to see the Magpies return to winning ways after a poor run of results:
“Newcastle got exactly what they deserved.
“It’s good to see the players smiling again.
“They were pensive and lacking a bit of confidence to start with but as the game went on you felt they could go on and win this.”
11-years on from the conclusion of his first managerial stint on Tyneside, Keegan was sensationally appointed as Newcastle manager for a second time in 2008.
However, the architect of Newcastle’s’ infamous ‘entertainers’ side quickly grew disillusioned with the club’s contentious transfer policy, and he subsequently resigned after just eight months at the helm – claiming that former director of football Dennis Wise had undermined his position.
The 64-year-old still holds a grudge against the Newcastle hierarchy for the detestable treatment he received during his ill-fated second spell in the North East, and he had some damning words for the club’s current managing director, Lee Charnley:
If you asked Lee Charnley to write what he knows about football on a postage stamp he wouldn’t fill it. He’s good at other things, but he doesn’t know about pro football.
