Callum Wilson makes Newcastle United 'respect' claim that will divide opinion - but West Ham won't care
West Ham United striker Callum Wilson will return to Newcastle United this weekend for a crucial Premier League clash.
Callum Wilson will be hoping to come back to haunt his former club Newcastle United and help West Ham United’s Premier League survival bid this Sunday (5:30pm kick-off).
The 34-year-old has scored six goals for the Hammers so far this season as the side sit 18th in the Premier League table with two games left to play. But Wilson will feel he should have scored his seventh of the season in the last minute against Arsenal only for it to be ruled out by VAR.
It cost the Hammers a point that leaves them two points adrift of Tottenham Hotspur with two games to go.
Newcastle are set to have a big say in the relegation battle as they host West Ham knowing that a home win could condemn their opponents to relegation. Should West Ham lose on Sunday and Spurs beat Chelsea the following Tuesday, the Hammers would be relegated from the Premier League before the final day.
But Wilson will have other ideas as he looks to add to his goal tally for West Ham following his release from Newcastle last summer. The striker spent five seasons at Newcastle, scoring 49 goals in 130 appearances for the club.
Wilson was a well-respected player by head coach Eddie Howe and the Newcastle supporters for his service to the club.
Wilson also previously worked under Howe at AFC Bournemouth between 2014 and 2020, with the pair striking up a strong working relationship.
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Callum Wilson asked awkward NUFC question
Earlier this season, the Premier League asked various players for their opinions on celebrating after scoring against a former club, to which Wilson gave an interesting response. Despite Newcastle facing Bournemouth six times in the Premier League while Wilson was a Magpies player, the striker missed all six due to injury.
But Wilson is set to make his return to St James’ Park with West Ham this weekend.
“It’s respect, I wouldn’t do it [celebrate],” Wilson claimed. “And when I score at St James’ Park this year, I won’t celebrate.”
It’s easy enough for Wilson to say that ahead of the event. But given the emotions in football and what is riding on the game for West Ham, Wilson would do well not to celebrate if he did score a decisive goal in the match.
Newcastle were haunted by a former player in their previous match as Elliot Anderson scored an 88th minute equaliser to secure a 1-1 draw for Nottingham Forest. The two points dropped all but ended the Magpies’ European hopes.
Wilson previously made a confident celebration prediction linked to West Ham during his time at Newcastle, where he promised he would do the ‘Macarena’ at the London Stadium when he scored.
Lo and behold, the former Newcastle No. 9 found the net just six minutes into a 5-1 win in 2023 and proceeded to do the famous dance.
"I love scoring at that place [London Stadium] and I've promised to do the Macarena," said Wilson ahead of the match.
"I want all the bubbles blowing on me while I'm doing it if I score there. But maybe I'll have to do it from the bench - I'll be warming up doing the Macarena!"