Alan Shearer admits that Celtic and Rangers comes close to his beloved Newcastle for football fanaticism but insists there’s one thing that makes the Toon unique.
Eddie Howe achieved Tyneside immortality by delivering a first domestic trophy to St James’ Park in 70 years by beating Liverpool 2-1 in the Carabao Cup Final a fortnight ago.
An estimated 300,000 Geordies lined the streets of the north east city on Saturday for the open top bus parade in what was a first for certain generations of Magpies.
Shearer was a special guest on the day and gave an emotional speech on just how much seeing his boyhood and former club finally lift silverware meant to him and the city.
City wide parades after winning trophies have traditionally been a no-no for both of the Glasgow clubs, although mini versions have taken place after recent Hoops success, notably after clinching a Treble Treble in 2019.
And while Shearer acknowledges the Scottish Premiership’s big two can rival Newcastle for such ingrained family support, the Magpies record goalscorer insists it’s different level in a one-club city.
“They’re just one club city, isn’t it? We just love our football and we’ve been starved of success for so many years,” he told The rest is Football podcast.
“I think it was just a relief that we eventually got over the line. And yeah, we love our football.
“It’s a life. It is really, honestly, I don’t think I’ve been anywhere in the country where you have nanas and grandas, mums and dads, young kids and everyone who wears the black and white shirt like the Newcastle people do.
“And I think maybe in Liverpool or maybe in Glasgow for Rangers and Celtic, I don’t know, but it is very, very different and unique in Newcastle.”
