Roeder Praise For "Born Again" Midfielder

Last updated : 03 April 2007 By Footy Mad - Editor

Glenn Roeder has advised the young players at Newcastle United to try to follow in the footsteps of the ex-Manchester United player. And the United boss believes that his tough-tackling midfielder is a candidate for the club's Player of the Year.

Roeder: "Nicky is 32 now, and while he still has plenty of football in him I hope that when his playing days are over he stays in the game, because in my view he would make a good coach.

"For him, football is not about medals or money but simply to play the game he loves, and he is an ideal role model for the youngsters we have here at St James' Park.

"Nicky has really shown to everybody this season why he won so many England caps and also medals with Manchester United.

"He has battled through and stood up to be counted and he is most definitely one of the candidates for the Newcastle United Player of the Year award.

"The saying `when the going gets tough the tough get going' could have been devised for him and he has never let us down this season. And I know that when I asked him to be captain for a couple of games he considered it a big honour.

"Nicky hates losing and in his last game he was last out of the dressing room in Alkmaar because he took the defeat so badly.

"To tell the truth, I could hardly look at him because I didn't want to go into just what his thoughts were."