Steve Bruce's verdict on Elliot Anderson's Newcastle United debut

The teenager made his debut in last night’s 2-0 FA Cup defeat to Arsenal.

Anderson – who has been training with the first-team squad for several months – came off the bench in the second half at the Emirates Stadium as Bruce’s side pushed for a goal.

And the 18-year-old midfielder, from Whitley Bay, quickly settled into the third-round tie, which was decided by extra-time goals from Emile Smith Rowe and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Asked about Elliot’s debut, head coach Bruce said: “Big positive. I thought the kid was very, very good. He’s been with us, knocking on the door, for a while now, so it was good to see him making his way. He’s got a big future ahead of him, hopefully.”

Anderson – who signed a new contract on his 18th birthday, and is a youth international for Scotland – is hoping to go on to make his Premier League debut in the coming weeks.

“It’s a great feeling,” said Anderson. “To come on against a top club like Arsenal, and to play for your boyhood club, is something you dream of as a kid. I’m just really excited for the up coming games.

"It’s everything I dreamed of as a kid, and to do it at 18 is something I’ll never forget.”

Anderson – whose grandfather Geoff Allen played for Newcastle – joined the club a decade ago after starting out at Wallsend Boys Club.

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