Much was made after Alexander Isak did not turn up at Celtic Park and Eddie Howe had some answers
Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe says he decided the best decision for Alexander Isak at Celtic was to send the star striker home.
Howe confirmed there had been no formal approach for Isak despite plenty of talk from the Liverpool end and he insisted there is a desire to keep the £63m man at St James’ Park this summer.
Isak did not face the Scottish champions, as Newcastle were drubbed 4-0, and Howe admitted that the player was handed a rest. Chronicle Live asked the Newcastle United boss if Isak was irreplaceable after a day in which Newcastle failed to even grab a consolation goal.
Davy Craig who wrote a song about Kittiwakes for the Newcastle Foodbank
Davy Craig who wrote a song about Kittiwakes for the Newcastle Foodbank
He said: “I’d say we have a few players who are irreplaceable. Your top players are so hard to find. They are so hard to recruit and develop. And make them into those players, when you have them you need to treasure them.
“We certainly as staff recognise his talent and ability. We are desperate to keep him as part of our team.”
When pressed on why Isak was missing, Howe said: “It was my decision. I decided to send him home due to the speculation around him.
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“The last thing he wanted is to be sat in the stand watching, that wasn’t fair to him.
Responding to questions asking if he could guarantee he will keep Isak, Howe said: “It is difficult for me to sit here and give 100% clarity on any player. I’d never sit here and do that.
“It is football and you never know what can happen. All I can say is that Alex is happy at Newcastle, he loves the players and staff, the team.
“I have never had any issue with him other than seeing him express his talent and express himself. Certainly I am confident that he is going to be here at the start of the season.”
Howe said that Isak and Joelinton could have played if needed this afternoon, adding: “Both players are fit. But we just felt they were not ready to play.
“Everybody through pre-season goes through different challenges, Joe is back from a long injury.
“So we need to make sure when he is introduced he is ready. Alex has trained this week and is fine but we did not want to take the risk.”
When reflecting on the 4-0 defeat, Howe continued: “I know everybody will be down on the performance but there was some good stuff in there as well.”
“Austria was intense and all these tours are with the way we manage them. The players have been non-stop in work. There has been a little bit of play in there too. I think it probably showed in our performance.
“We travelled here yesterday and looked a little bit jaded. It was great for our preparation, the harder the game the better.
“Celtic you could see were way ahead of us fitness wise and sharpness wise. But I think we will be better for the game.”
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