Newcastle United coach Terry McDermott has branded Craig Bellamy a 'little upstart'.
Newcastle United coach Terry McDermott has branded Craig Bellamy a 'little upstart' after becoming involved in a tunnel altercation with the Liverpool striker on Wednesday night.After The Reds triumphed 2-0 at Anfield, Welsh international Bellamy was at the centre of a flashpoint when the two teams made their way back to the dressing rooms.
McDermott claims Bellamy, who had been the subject of abuse from Magpies fans due to the nature of his exit from St James' Park in 2005, started calling him names as he engaged in conversation with referee Mark Halsey following two controversial moments in the game.
"I was upset that we had lost the game in the way that we did," said McDermott in the Newcastle Evening Chronicle.
"We felt that at the start of the second half we should have had two stonewall penalties, something which was backed up by the TV replays and in the first instance by Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez.
"I was talking to the referee at the edge of the tunnel when Bellamy appeared on the scene and suddenly started calling me names.
"I thought he was just joking and I put my arm around him, but he kept on calling me names and that is when it all kicked off.
"I had my say and when he got to the top of the stairs, he started shouting at me again. But of course he had security guys around him.
"I was talking to the referee. It had nothing to do with anyone else and I take exception to little upstarts like him."
McDermott also went on to criticise Bellamy for the attitude he exhibited during his fiery spell with The Magpies, suggesting that his temperament and ego could again get the better of him at Anfield.
"I do not like it when people like to think they are bigger than clubs," McDermott added.
"When he was at Newcastle, he thought he was a big cheese. Everywhere he has been, he has been in bother - and it is all starting again at Liverpool.
"There was no need for it at all and he was 100 percent out of order."
Meanwhile, Magpies keeper Steve Harper has described his devastation at conceding from the halfway line at Anfield as Xabi Alonso scored what will undoubtedly be one of the goals of the season.
The Spanish midfielder bettered what was a similar effort against Luton in the FA Cup last season, but Harper could have saved the ambitious shot if he had not slipped at the crucial moment.
The keeper was enjoying a rare start in place of the injured Shay Given when the aberration occurred, but Harper is determined to put the blunder out of his mind immediately when Newcastle play Everton on Sunday.
"I was really enjoying the game. I felt great, and I do not understand it," said Harper.
"I was playing quite high up to counteract Craig Bellamy's pace, but I was no further out than the penalty spot.
"I was just back-pedalling to try and catch it, and as I tried to change direction, I went over.
"I am going to see that for the rest of my life now - it is just devastating.
"It was just one fatal slip at the wrong time. If you're an outfield player and you slip, there is somebody there to cover it for you.
"I am not looking forward to seeing it, but it is history now and we have got to go out there on Sunday and put it right.
"It was a horrible thing to happen, but it happened.
"The good thing is that I have got a chance to go out there and get it out of my system."
