Newcastle 2-2 Southampton: Steve McClaren says Aleksandar Mitrovic was lucky to escape red
Sunday 9 August 2015 18:15, UK
Steve McClaren admitted new striker Aleksandar Mitrovic was lucky not to get sent off seconds into his Newcastle debut in their 2-2 draw against Southampton at St James' Park.
The Serbian made an instant impression upon replacing Papiss Cisse in the 75th minute, launching a scything challenge on Matt Targett which earned him a yellow card from referee Craig Pawson.
And amid suggestions of a later elbow by Mitrovic on Maya Yoshida which went apparently unnoticed by Pawson, McClaren will be well aware of his need to curb his new striker's enthusiasm if he is to get the best from him this season.
"We were quite fortunate he did not get a red there and there would have been no complaints if he did," McClaren said.
"I don't know if he got that much contact but I'm just saying with the present rules of the game... I think in the olden days those kinds of challenges were 10-a-penny.
"That's what he (Mitrovic) is. He certainly doesn't hold back. He wanted to come on and impress. He's only a young lad and you can see how strong and direct he is. He is going to be a player."
Mitrovic's dramatic introduction certainly energised the home fans on a day in which it was another new signing, Georginio Wijnaldum, who went the right way about stealing the show when he netted Newcastle's second in the 48th minute.
"I didn't quite know what to expect and I was absolutely delighted with what I saw - I thought for 75 minutes the team were excellent. We have learned so much and can we get better? Most definitely," McClaren added.
"It was a typical emotional rollercoaster. It would have been a travesty if we had lost.
"Wijnaldum was excellent. He has joined us late. For 70 minutes he was very, very good, and scored a great goal.
