Newcastle boss Glenn Roeder paid tribute to the defender for his part in Newcastle's victory over Liverpool after the 28-year-old Nigerian was devastated when his younger brother died at a London hospital after losing his battle against tuberculosis.Babayaro Bravery
Newcastle boss Glenn Roeder paid tribute to the defender for his part in Newcastle's victory over Liverpool after the 28-year-old Nigerian was devastated when his younger brother died at a London hospital after losing his battle against tuberculosis.Roeder: "Celestine Babayaro called me at 11.50pm last night. His younger brother has been suffering from tuberculosis and at 11.30pm last night, he lost his life.
"He called me back after midnight after consulting his older brothers and they thought his younger brother would have wanted him to play, so he came out this afternoon and played.
"I know exactly how he feels because I did the same the day my father died.
"That's why I waited for him particularly when he came off the pitch at the end.
"You should know that and our supporters should know that because that does take courage. That puts a lot of things into perspective for me personally. Nearly four years ago, I was not too clever myself.
"I have always said football is the most important thing in your life except family because without family, there is no football.
"Celestine is travelling back to London tonight to be with his family and we will keep in touch over the next few days and hopefully, he will be fine to travel to Belgium on Wednesday.
"I would have accepted whatever he wanted to do, and now he has done that and also because we have won the game and got three points, he feels both very happy and sad at the same time."