We always wondered why Shane Ferguson took so long to get back playing in the Newcastle first team again, after looking so good about 18 months ago when he made a few outstanding appearances at left back, although he’s had quite a few injuries over the last year or so.
Shane Ferguson tackles Shinji Kagawa on Sunday
But Shane had a pretty sold game on Sunday, in what must have been a difficult game for him, but he came through well and looked solid enough at left back, and Davide Santon looked good at right back, and the Italian can play either side – that seems no problem at all for the lad.
This is what Shane (my favorite film) told the local Newcastle press today:
“You just want to be able to show what you can do, and thankfully I’m getting that chance through the manager.” “It was even better for me that Michael O’Neill has been in the stands at St James’ Park in the last two games.”
“I spoke to him before the game against Bordeaux and it was great to see him there.” “Now I just want to push on and keep showing what I can do.”
And Shane could well be marking Ronaldo when Northern Ireland take on Portugal in Porto over the International break, so we’ll see how he does against one of the world’s top players.
And to think back in 2002 Bobby Robson was interested in signing Ronaldo from Sporting Lisbon, just after we had signed his compatriot Hugo Viana from Sporting.
Shane opted to play for Northern Ireland rather than Ireland, but Ireland are ranked number 28 in the FIFA rankings compared to Northern Ireland’s 117 ranking, so he would have had a better chance of playing World Cup football with Ireland.
England are currently ranked number 5 and Portugal number 3.
It looks like Shane has a chance , a very slight chance, of playing in the World Cup like Newcastle’s Tommy Cassidy did, when he played in the 1982 World Cup finals for Northern Ireland.
Shane continued:
“Something like that would be a dream. But being back on the international scene is brilliant.” “Scoring against Finland gave me confidence.”
“It was an unbelievable feeling because it came in front of my family at Windsor Park.” “It’s something I’ll always be proud of.”
But is seems Shane is now a regular starter for Northern Ireland, and it should be a great experience for him in Porto, especially if Ronaldo is the one he will be marking.
Best of luck Shane.
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85 comments so far
Lynxie
Oct 9, 2012 at 2:14 PM
Comment #81You heard it here first. Does that mean I am ITK LOL….
Geeedurp!!
Lynxie
Oct 9, 2012 at 2:22 PM
Comment #82BANG! …And the blog is dead.
Lynxie
Oct 9, 2012 at 2:27 PM
Comment #83Whats up lads? Wonga killed the whingers?
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Oct 9, 2012 at 2:39 PM
Comment #84Lynxie…Next thread mate 🙂 Don’t forget your hard hat or full suit of armor may be preferable.
Football In Numbers
Oct 9, 2012 at 4:38 PM
Comment #85Newcastle were unlucky in this game. They set up with the right tactics but Utd got two goals from set plays and then the task was near impossible.
My colleague at Football In Numbers has written a match report for the game and it it analyses some good points. Check it out if you get chance;
http://footballinnumbers.com/newcastle-0-manchester-united-3-match-analysis/