Roy Keane says ‘amazing’ Newcastle United star has impressed him for a year now

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Newcastle United have had a few heroes this season. 

Having won the Carabao Cup while putting themselves in a great position to secure Champions League football, Newcastle United have needed many players to be in fine form. 

Indeed, the likes of Alexander Isak and Sandro Tonali have taken a lot of the headlines but there have been other fine performances across the course of the campaign.

Dan Burn and Fabian Schar have been rocks at the back, while Kieran Trippier’s return to form has been fantastic to see. And that’s only naming a few. 

One of Eddie Howe’s most important players this season has unquestionably been Jacob Murphy. The winger has scored eight goals while registering 11 assists in the Premier League this season, emerging as one of the most productive forwards in the division. 

Such has been the level of his form, even Roy Keane has been impressed. 

• Who is Jacob Murphy? The Newcastle United star who has transformed under Eddie Howe

Roy Keane hails Newcastle star Jacob Murphy  

Pundits have been shocked about how well Murphy has been playing this season and Keane proved no different. 

The former Sunderland manager hasn’t always been the most complimentary about Newcastle over the years but was talking in effusive terms about the 30-year-old on Sky Sports before Newcastle’s draw with Brighton on Sunday.

Discussing Murphy’s form, Keane said: “It’s just like he’s peaked at the right time, isn’t it?

“Some players peak younger. Obviously, he’s always been a good player no doubt about it but the last 6-12 months, I think he’s been amazing.” 

Jacob Murphy making Newcastle history

Murphy is Newcastle’s fifth-highest assist-maker in Premier League history, with 27. 

While he endured a more difficult time of things at Brighton on Sunday, it would be foolish not to expect him to add to that tally by the time the season is finished. 

Laurent Robert (29) is next in the list before Rob Lee (31) and Alan Shearer (36) start to come into Murphy’s sights. Nolberto Solano is way out in front with 54.

Keane is right to have been impressed. This has been the season of Murphy’s career and it’s shown little sign of slowing.