When it was put out a few months ago that Newcastle were interested in 18 year-old Gael Bigirimana, we found out what a smashing lad the young Coventry player seemed to be, and we have not been disappointed, since he joined Newcastle.
Gael Bigirimana – privileged to be at Newcastle
And the 18 year-old has looked good in the Newcastle first team for one so young, and when he has come on to replace top Ivory Coast International Cheick Tiote, Newcastle seem not to have missed a beat, and that says a lot about this lad’s great potential longer term.
Gael has talked today to BBC Newcastle today, about how shocked he was when he learned that it was Newcastle United who were the club interested in him.
This is what he told BBC Newcastle today:
“When I found out it was me they were interested in, it was a surprise.” “I’m just privileged to be here at Newcastle and grateful to the club.”
“I respect Coventry, but joining Newcastle is something that fits in with the journey.” “Coventry is like my family – the club, the city, one big family. It has a special place in my heart.”
It’s very good that Gael still appreciates what Coventry did for him, because it seems like it was an awful lot at a very important time for him and his family, and it’s quite obvious from Gael’s words above, that he will always appreciate that, and Coventry can take great credit for what they did for the youngster.
Bigirimana was born in Burundi, and he arrived in England with his family eight years ago, when he was just 10, and after a brief trial, he was taken into the Coventry Youth Academy, and it looks like he’s never looked back since then.
We only hope that he can fulfill his great potential at Newcastle, but from what we’ve seen of this lad so far, his potential seems enormous.
And Newcastle may not have made much progress in our transfer business for senior players so far this summer, but Gael, Romain Amalfitano and Curtis Good all look to be excellent acquisitions for the Tyneside club.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
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248 comments so far
Toonboy_84
Jul 26, 2012 at 4:40 PM
Comment #41Les, I can tell that you love kets. Don’t deny it…….. I can tell.
Marty-Toon
Jul 26, 2012 at 4:41 PM
Comment #42Ye give Kets a hard time lads,
Ok he’s on here with a lot of funny stuff and is just a lill ridiculous with valuations of players but we shouldn’t be tearin each other apart on here even if the other person is a red n white in disguise.
Keep it less personal i say,it’s a football blog like
Toonboy_84
Jul 26, 2012 at 4:44 PM
Comment #43Marty
Cummon mate. If you came on here acting a nob, would you not expect to be told your a nob.
And I don’t think your a nob, just an example 🙂
ToonDownSouth
Jul 26, 2012 at 4:50 PM
Comment #44Kets has been banned from other forums before for winding everyone up so much.
Still, Marty’s probably right about the personal insults.
cyprus
Jul 26, 2012 at 4:51 PM
Comment #45So the Olympics is boring eh?
Check this out!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xm7oX1yCFU0&feature=related
Toonboy_84
Jul 26, 2012 at 4:52 PM
Comment #46Personal insults? Ok. Point taken.
But scharner ha ha ha ha ha ha
Tsunki
Jul 26, 2012 at 4:53 PM
Comment #47Lads I think you’re getting ketsy all wrong. I don’t think he’s either a wum or troll. As someone posted earlier he was banned from at least one other toon blog after a long time. I don’t think he’s perpetuating a long joke either, its too weak and uninteresting . The comments he makes can be weird but they are hardly insulting or more than mildly provocative. And I think he is with us for the long haul however you react. Humour him I propose.
GeordieDan
Jul 26, 2012 at 4:55 PM
Comment #48Does anyone know a reliable link for the Milk Cup final tonight with the NUFC young’ns playing?
Apparently its on live on channel 972 on Sky but I’ve got Virgin so I have no idea what channel that is?
Really fancy watching our kids take on Desportivo Brasil who are supposed to be a very tidy side themselves.
Wor Adam Campbell is a beast lately though and has bagged 6 goals in 4 games already! Future star in the making there maybe ?(fingers crossed)
Help me out please lads. Cheers. 😀
rich_toonfan
Jul 26, 2012 at 4:56 PM
Comment #49Kets is harmless
We all know what he says so if you don’t like it just ignore and move onto the next comment.
Although we could do a lot worse than scharner, remember bramble haha
rich_toonfan
Jul 26, 2012 at 4:58 PM
Comment #50Somebody said it was on bbc red button but not sure of it.
Adam Campbell must be pushing or the first team soon. He is 17 and has the talent, all top players start making first team appearances t that age.
Hope he does enough to get the odd game
gonufc (up and Hatem)
Jul 26, 2012 at 4:58 PM
Comment #51Abeid better technically than Cabaye?
Course, and he may progress to be as good as the through ball master Paul Scharner….
Big Pappa Cissé
Jul 26, 2012 at 5:04 PM
Comment #52@ go nufc
How dare you, no-one who has lived or will ever live could be as good as the great Paul Scharner 🙂
Big Pappa Cissé
Jul 26, 2012 at 5:06 PM
Comment #53That Omar Akbal kid playing for the UAE looks decent like
Big Pappa Cissé
Jul 26, 2012 at 5:07 PM
Comment #54Number 5
Big Pappa Cissé
Jul 26, 2012 at 5:09 PM
Comment #5515 rather, he looks a bit like Sideshow Bob
Big Pappa Cissé
Jul 26, 2012 at 5:11 PM
Comment #56Omar Abdul Rackman, sign him up
Beardo Ameobi
Jul 26, 2012 at 5:11 PM
Comment #57UAE – where have these whipper-snappers come from? Have some skillful players on show!
Tsunki
Jul 26, 2012 at 5:12 PM
Comment #58Sooooooo… Back on topic (kind of) I get a good feeling about these lads from their comments about the club and it reveals a good attitude which has every chance of being coupled with a goosd work ethic. Perhaps we should actually be more pleased about our off-season business when we are building a team with the right mental state from the ground up than being constantly frustrated by the apparent inaction on the ‘big’ transfers. Just a thought.
Ketsbaia9 – I am certain you are reading this so how about a little interaction? What’s your story? Where do you work? Where ( as in region) in the world do you live?
Paps
Jul 26, 2012 at 5:13 PM
Comment #59I agree with big pappa. rackman looks pretty good. he should be cheap if we act quickly
GeordieDan
Jul 26, 2012 at 5:15 PM
Comment #60rich_toonfan
Cheers, I’ll check it out. Can’t find it anywhere on the interweb yet.
If Campbell keeps playing and improving the way he’s done over the last season he could be a great prospect and worth a few minutes to test him maybe when we’re a couple of goals ahead in Europe or one of the cups?
He comes accross very well when you see him interviewed. A kid who is very confident in his ability, quick and built like Rooney.
Hope he shows Ranger just what a mug he was to screw his chance (and there were many) up-there’s always someone younger and better waiting to take the chance if you don’t.
Big Pappa Cissé
Jul 26, 2012 at 5:17 PM
Comment #61Quartez the big fairy, went down as if his leg was broken then gets up to have a go at the player and goes down injured again haha, what a joke
rich_toonfan
Jul 26, 2012 at 5:19 PM
Comment #62Geordie dan
Hope your right on Campbell.
And with ranger i don’t get him. Even if you hate football you Would play just for the money. Let’s face it, he won’t get a better job than what he has now.
Big Pappa Cissé
Jul 26, 2012 at 5:20 PM
Comment #63What is going on with Suarez’s ears like, looks like they have been stapled to his head 🙂
Marty-Toon
Jul 26, 2012 at 5:21 PM
Comment #64Ok lads,
I get it like,and he probably deserved to get banned from other blogs n this one too if he’s just a wind up merchant.
Give him loads bt keep it funny…..
Put a smile on everyone’s face 🙂
The scharner
jakesome
Jul 26, 2012 at 5:21 PM
Comment #65anyone know if the youth match is on virgin? if so what channel?
Ketsbaia9
Jul 26, 2012 at 5:21 PM
Comment #66Abeid doesn’t fade out of games as much. He’ll be a world beater in the next few years. AC Milan and Roma want him. Cabaye is a bit inconsistent. He had 1 excellent game against Aston Villa away and a great game for France during the euro’s.
I’ve seen Abeid play on numerous occasions. I know what I’m talking about. You’ll find out what will happen in the future and you’ll think of me.
Marty-Toon
Jul 26, 2012 at 5:22 PM
Comment #67The Scharner stuff is great by the way 🙂
nufc786
Jul 26, 2012 at 5:22 PM
Comment #68NUFCWill1986 8 and 9
indeed i did think it looks like a great shirt hopefully in the future we can have them again as our sponsers
Big Pappa Cissé
Jul 26, 2012 at 5:23 PM
Comment #69Get in haha, what a pass from Omar abdul
jakesome
Jul 26, 2012 at 5:23 PM
Comment #70what a ball!
2_goal_tino
Jul 26, 2012 at 5:24 PM
Comment #71Pulling out the Demba as well
Marty-Toon
Jul 26, 2012 at 5:25 PM
Comment #72Ok Kets,
Even I tried sticking up for ya bud but after sayin Cabaye had one good game lol
You’re on yer own 😉 guess you didn’t see him play against Man U?
Bet that day they had wished they had a player of his ability and as you point out he showed on the best stage that he’s quality at the euros
Beardo Ameobi
Jul 26, 2012 at 5:25 PM
Comment #73UAE are devastating going forward 😮
nufc786
Jul 26, 2012 at 5:25 PM
Comment #74Ketsbaia9
how much football have you been watching kets…….. sounds like only two matches….. have you not forgot the assists tht cabaye gave this season….
abeid has only featured in the reserves abeid hasnt even played internatonally yet……..
jakesome
Jul 26, 2012 at 5:25 PM
Comment #75everyone get the UAE game on crackin stuff
Beardo Ameobi
Jul 26, 2012 at 5:27 PM
Comment #76Well for somebody who apparently flits in and out of matches, Cabaye sure did well to be the player with the most tackles in the PL last season.
Ketsbaia9
Jul 26, 2012 at 5:30 PM
Comment #77Abeid is better than Cabaye end of. Reminds me of a bigger version of Peter Beardsley sometimes when he plays.
Beardo Ameobi
Jul 26, 2012 at 5:31 PM
Comment #7830 mins in and I’m sold on Omar Abdulrahman! He’s a gem, unreal craft and great work ethic.
Sign him up Pards 😆
Big Pappa Cissé
Jul 26, 2012 at 5:32 PM
Comment #79Never knew the Arabs were this good at footy like ha, If I were Ashley I would send the chopper down to Manchester and sign Omar Abdul Rahman
Grafton83
Jul 26, 2012 at 5:33 PM
Comment #80West Ham have made thier bid for andy caroll according to bbc
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18995674