Liverpool legend Ian Rush spent a season at Newcastle United in the 1990s.
By the time he joined Newcastle United, he was a seasoned veteran coming in as cover for Alan Shearer who sustained a nasty injury in pre-season.
The Magpies were managed by Kenny Dalglish at the time who had succeeded Toon legend Kevin Keegan the season before.
Dalglish’s time on Tyneside wasn’t the most memorable by any means, with the Premier League-winning manager sacked early into the 1998-99 campaign.
The Scot made some poor signings during his reign at Newcastle, with the likes of Des Hamilton and Garry Brady come to mind. However, he did employ some of the Magpies’ finest-ever players. Club legends like Gary Speed and Shay Given were given opportunities at Newcastle, with the pair going on to become well-loved figures on Tyneside.
Newcastle take on Rush’s beloved Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday, he will no doubt be hoping the club he spent 15 years with picks up the win. Despite that, Rush still had some lovely things to say about Newcastle and the fans in 2021.
Ian Rush on Newcastle United fans in 2021
Rush only made 14 appearances for Newcastle, scoring twice including one goal in the FA Cup against Liverpool’s arch-rivals Everton. He lost his place in Newcastle’s first-team squad in December 1997 when Shearer returned to the side and was loaned out to Sheffield United for the remainder of the season.
Newcastle ended up finishing 13th in what was a torrid season, but that didn’t bother Rush one bit.
Rush was asked about his time at Newcastle on the Robbie Fowler podcast in 2021.
“Kenny wanted me to sign as cover because they were playing in the Champions League and my experience,” he said.
“I went up to Newcastle and signed for a year. It was amazing because John Barnes and Stuart Pearce were there and it was like Dad’s Army!
Rush was 35 by the time he joined Newcastle and was nearing the end of his career. He still took the opportunity with both hands, leaving Leeds United after a torrid season.
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“I had a great time at Newcastle,” Rush added.
“On my debut against Aston Villa, I played OK and Kenny took me off with 10 minutes to go. I got a standing ovation.
“They are like Liverpool fans. As long as you are giving 100%, that is all they want. They are passionate about football and if you aren’t giving 100%, they will have a go at you like everyone would.
“I really did (enjoy it at Newcastle). I actually played in the Champions League with Newcastle. People say I played with Liverpool in the European Cup but I actually played in the Champions League against PSV Eindhoven.
“People say football only started in 1992 when the Premier League came but I am proud to say I played in the Champions League and it was with Newcastle.
“I am happy with that.”
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What Alan Shearer said about Ian Rush
Shearer will always be considered a legend amongst the Newcastle fans, his 206 Premier League goals over 10 years will never be forgotten about.
Newcastle’s record goalscorer had the privilege of training and playing with Rush during that season, albeit for a brief period.
On the Rest is Football podcast in 2024, Gary Lineker was asked who he believes is Liverpool’s greatest-ever striker.
Shearer believed it was a no-brainer, saying: “It’s got to be Rushy, hasn’t it? It’s got to be Ian Rush.”
Lineker claimed that it was actually Luis Suarez, rather than rush: “He’s up there,” he said.
“He’s obviously the second-best striker of his time… he was unbelievable. But I think Suarez, you know.”
Shearer responded with: “Really?” To which Lineker replied: “Steven Gerrard said he’s the best player he’s ever played with. He’s probably a better all-round footballer than Rushy.”
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