03 May 2008 - - Toon's Smith Not Ibrox-Bound - Agent
Rumours have cropped regularly up this year linking Newcastle’s bullish midfielder Alan Smith (pictured tackling former Celtic man Ross wallace) with a summer transfer to SPL giants Rangers.
Gers boss Walter Smith spent some time as Sir Alex Ferguson’s no.2 and is said to be an admirer of the former Red Devil.
The Scottish side’s ongoing charge through the Uefa Cup has swelled the coffers at Ibrox as Smith and co. target a stronger showing in next season’s Champions League.
Thus, reports have linked the club with a £6m bid for the experienced midfielder-cum-striker in the summer.
The murmurings became full-blown discussion at the weekend when Smith was spotted in the Celtic Park stands watching Sunday’s Old Firm derby.
The player’s agent, Alex Black, though, has moved to reject talk of the potential transfer.
"Alan has no intention of leaving Newcastle, he is happy at the club," Black told Sky Sports.
"All this Rangers talk has come about because he was at a couple of their games.
"It was just a coincidence as Alan got tickets for the Old Firm game and he went with a few friends to experience a Rangers v Celtic game as he is a football fan.
"Alan is not thinking about anything else but coming back fresh for next season and helping Newcastle to success."
GOAL.COM
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13 Apr 2008 - - Futures looking bright - Smith
NEWCASTLE United striker Alan Smith has revealed his optimism for next season following the Magpies’ recent revival.
The England international and his team-mates will head to Fratton Park to face Portsmouth with their tails up, with Kevin Keegan’s revitalised side looking to finish the season on a high.
The former Leeds and Manchester United man was always confident Newcastle would retain their top-flight status, and has proved to be the ultimate professional in the last few games.
Smith lost his place in Keegan’s team but took the decision on the chin and has played his part as sub in the last three victories as the black-and-whites have turned the corner.
But the Toon battler is still crystal clear about the task ahead which includes the trip to Pompey, home games with Sunderland and Chelsea, and visits to injury-hit West Ham and Everton on the final day of the season.
He told the Chronicle: “This season was about surviving and building for next season.
“And I’m sure that the gaffer has long-term plans about the players he wants to bring in.
“Hopefully, next season can be a lot more successful for us. And the fans will have a lot more to cheer about next year.”
This time last year Smith was getting ready to pick up a championship medal with Manchester United, but he has no regrets and is enthusiastic about his future with Newcastle. Despite United’s up-and-down campaign, Smith reflected on his time on Tyneside and said: “It hasn’t been a shock to the system.
“I knew this would be a transitional time – we changed owners and managers.
“That makes it more difficult for everyone.”
Smith has already played under two managers at St James’s Park in Sam Allardyce and KK.
And with the likes of James Milner and Nicky Butt playing under five managers in four years, and only Lamine Diatta of the current first-team roster recruited by Keegan, Smith – having played under the long-serving Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford – feels that solid foundations can be laid by a strong finish this season, with good times hopefully on the horizon.
He said: “We’ll have some stability next year.
“That’s what this club needs. We will rebuild and have a good pre-season in the summer. We’ll bring some new players in, too.
“After that we can see how far we can get and give it a good go next season.”
Chronicle Live
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24 Mar 2008 - - KK backing for dropped Smith
Kevin Keegan has insisted that Alan Smith still has a big part to play for Newcastle United this season.
Smith wasn’t included in the starting line-up at Birmingham City during the 1-1 draw, but took the decision on the chin.
And Keegan told the Chronicle: “Alan wasn’t in the team on Monday.
“But he’s very much in the team as far as I’m concerned.
“He’s a great kid to have around your club.
“Even though he wasn’t playing, he’s not one who will sulk. He’s a team player.”
Chronicle
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06 Mar 2008 - - I won’t think of my injury – just the three points
ALAN SMITH makes his first return to Anfield since he suffered horrific injuries two years ago when Newcastle United go in against Liverpool on Saturday.
But the 27-year-old England international insists he only has one thing on his mind – trying to help United to the three points.
Smith broke his leg and dislocated his ankle playing for Manchester United at Liverpool in February 2006, and the sight of him being carried off on a stretcher and taken to a Merseyside Hospital has not been forgotten.
It was an injury similar to the one Arsenal striker Eduardo suffered against Birmingham City at St Andrews 12 days ago.
Smith was sidelined for the best part of a year but, while he is struggling to get among the goals following his £6m switch from Manchester United in the summer, at least he has made a full recovery from his double injury.
Looking to Saturday, Smith told me today: “It was two years ago since I did it, and it’s my first time back to Liverpool.
“I’ve been playing all over this season, and the main concern for me was how my leg would react, but I’ve not felt it, or pulled out of a challenge because of it. It’s never worried me.
“I had exactly the same injury as Eduardo. I spoke to him to let him know I’m feeling for his career, and hoping that he gets on the road to recovery and gets back playing.”
When I asked Smith what would be going through his mind on Saturday, he replied without hesitation: “That we need three points – and nothing else.
"That’s the only thing you do whenever you cross the white line.”
There is no love lost between Manchester United and Liverpool and there were some criticism at the way some of the red half of Merseyside reacted when Smith was being stretchered off.
But the Yorkshireman added: “All the medical staff helped me, and everyone was brilliant.”
Although he has made a complete recovery from his injury, things haven’t gone too well for the Yorkshireman on Tyneside.
He is still looking for his first goal for United and his nine bookings mean he is just one yellow card away from a two-match ban.
However, he remains upbeat and, like the rest of the United players and backroom staff, he was lifted by Saturday’s performance – if not the result – against Blackburn Rovers.
He said: “When you looked around the dressing room after the Blackburn game we knew we had put in a good performance.
"We were embarrassed against Manchester United, as we didn’t deserve to get beat 5-1.
“Now we’ve got to make sure we concentrate on staying up, building for next season and having a good go in our remaining fixtures.
CHRONICLE
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06 Mar 2008 - - Smith - I will prove my worth
Alan Smith has revealed his desire to prove his worth to The Magpies after a barren run which has seen him without a competitive goal for Newcastle.
The former Manchester United striker has mainly been deployed as a central midfielder during his time in the North East, but Kevin Keegan has used him as a strike partner to Michael Owen since his return to St James' Park.
Smith admits that is time for himself and his team mates to accept their recent criticism and bounce back to ensure their Premier League status.
"It is a time where we have to stand up and be counted, go out in front of 52,000 people and prove our worth," Smith told the Newcastle Chronicle.
"We've got to show everyone that we want to fight for the cause. We looked at our home games as ones that were winnable and one was against Blackburn.
"We've deserved criticism on occasions this season and we're all big enough to accept that.
"It's up to us as a team, as players and as people, to sort that out."
Newcastle are yet to win in 2008 and have only scored three times in Keegan's seven games back at the helm.
Despite the disastrous run, Smith believes the former England boss will ensure The Magpies do not drop out of the top flight for the first time since 1992.
"The more and more we work together, the more influence the manager is having, said Smith."
"We are getting fitter and there is a camaraderie, and that is something the gaffer has emphasised since he came in.
"Everyone is playing for each other and that stands us in good stead."
CHRONICLE
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