‘Goosebumps’ - Gary Neville ‘nearly in tears’ at what Newcastle United supporters did this season
The FA are set to honour Kevin Keegan at Wembley before England face Spain on Saturday.
Gary Neville has eulogised Kevin Keegan ahead of England’s clash against Spain this weekend.
And reflecting on his former manager - who he describes as “infectious” - Neville opened up about almost being reduced to tears before Newcastle United’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool. Wor Flags produced their most ambitious and emotional display to date to honour Keegan following his passing in July.
All four corners of St James’ Park paid tribute to Keegan and, for the first time, the display stretched into the away end. The fixture was a fitting homage to a bona fide legend at both clubs.
The Gazette has launched a WhatsApp NUFC channel to bring the latest news, analysis and team & injury updates directly to your phone. Simply click this link to join our NUFC WhatsApp channel.
‘Tears in my eyes’ - Gary Neville on Wor Flags display
Speaking to ITV, Neville opened up about the emotions he experienced before Newcastle faced Liverpool. He said: “I was at the game, Newcastle vs Liverpool, and I knew it would be special, but I didn't realise how special that was going to be.
“I nearly have tears in my eyes now thinking about the emotion in the stadium for a man that was absolutely loved by both clubs. The performance with what they (Wor Flags) put on with the cards and what the whole stadium looked like, it was absolutely amazing, it really was.
“It shook you to the ground in terms of the passion, the emotion, the feeling. The energy for Kevin was so memorable. (He was) someone who, every single day, had that relentless positivity, feeling of energy, and it was like a storm, a tornado, when he entered the room. Just the passion, the feeling, the togetherness, everything that he brought was incredible. It was infectious, massively infectious.”
Gary Neville on letting Kevin Keegan down
The FA are set to pay their own respects to Keegan when England host Spain at Wembley on Saturday. A former Three Lions captain and manager, he honourably resigned from the hot seat in October 2000 - and Neville felt partly responsible at the time.
“When Kevin passed, I said that the immediate feeling I had, other than incredible sadness, was that I think he's the one manager that I played for that I felt like I let down,” he added. “I didn't play well for him. I always remember that. We played against Poland at Wembley in a game and I gave a goal away.
“I remember after the game, him saying to me, ‘I don't see you do that for United’. It really landed with me and he was absolutely right. I can still see Kevin, it gives me goosebumps, actually. When he walked in the dressing room at the end of that Germany game.
“There wasn't any shouting. I remember Kevin saying, ‘I've taken it as far as I can. I know when my time's up. I've taken this group as far as I can. I love you all, lads’. But it was his tremendous honesty, and I respected him for that.
“It wasn't going well. I think he took everything to heart. His passion, his feeling for his country. And he was a man who wouldn't let people down. I think the idea of him losing the final game at Wembley, Germany (and) the pressure of not doing that well in the tournament….
“There were a lot of players in that dressing room, but certainly me, that that ‘We've let you down. A good man. A great player. A great coach. A great Englishman. And we've let you down’.”
Your next Newcastle United read: Six weeks, four wins, eight points - Newcastle United need perspective in a TikTok world