Souness: "I Can't Wait"

Last updated : 19 October 2005 By Footy Mad - Editor

Graeme Souness says he cannot wait for his first Newcastle United v Sunderland clash. The United boss has battled it out in the Glasgow and Merseyside derbies as both a player and manager, and he even had the nerve to plant the Galatasaray flag in the middle of the pitch after a Turkish Cup triumph against Istanbul rivals Fenerbahce.

So can we say the United v Sunderland derby match is bigger? I certainly wouldn't even consider it bigger than the Old Firm, but that is for reasons far removed from football. But the fervour at a Tyne/Wear derby is far more passionate than Liverpool/Everton. Trust me on that one, because I think the Mersey derby is the most over-rated in football.

Souness said today: "After Wigan we couldn't have asked for a better game. We wish it was tomorrow, to be honest. I've played in derbies in Liverpool and Glasgow, and managed in them as well. Rangers v Celtic is special, as is the Merseyside derby and Galatasaray against Fenerbahce. I'm sure Newcastle United v Sunderland will be up there with the best of them.

"I'm really looking forward to this one, and I know my players are. It's another one to tick off, and I'll be doing everything to make sure we win."

One thing is certain ... he'd better pick up the three points ... because anything else is simply NOT GOOD ENOUGH!