Bellamy promises to come clean
Craig Bellamy has left Newcastle with a heavy heart but vowing to rip off the bad boy label stuck to him by Graeme Souness.
Bellamy purposely avoided mentioning Souness by name as he analysed the reasons behind his £5m (€7.3m) move to Blackburn.
But there is no doubt the fiery Welshman feels his career will benefit from the guidance of former international team-mate Mark Hughes as opposed to the all-out conflict he experienced in his last days at St James’ Park.
Although the 25-year-old maintained until the end he was prepared to return to Tyneside, deep down he knew his much-publicised spat with Souness, whom he accused of being a liar live on TV in a row which erupted following his omission from a Premiership trip to Arsenal, meant there was no realistic prospect of it happening.
Despite admitting to stupid mistakes in the past, Bellamy, who scored 42 goals in 128 appearances for Newcastle following a £6m (€8.9m) move from Coventry in 2001, insists his reputation as a trouble-causer is unfounded.
And he intends to use his time at Ewood Park to ensure fans start to talk about his footballing ability rather than his image.
“If someone labels you, it is very hard to shake it off,” he said.
“I know about my reputation, it is the first thing people think about. I did get myself into little scrapes when I was younger and a bit stupid, but there is only one manager I have worked under who ever spoke a bad word about me.
“Sir Bobby Robson has recommended me to every club who has asked, which I couldn’t thank him enough for. Mark Hughes has signed me, so he can’t think there is an issue and it is the same with Gordon Strachan at Celtic.
“It is tough to accept I have left Newcastle because I really enjoyed my time there and to have the backing of those fans is incredible.
“But certain people made it clear there was no way back, so I have to move on.
“All I want to do now is prove my temperament is not a problem and get people talking about my football again.”
Bellamy has signed a four-year contract with Rovers, a major coup since both Celtic and Everton were offering the opportunity of Champions League football next term.
Aston Villa also declared their interest in the forward but once Hughes declared his interest, Bellamy was quick to make up his mind and after a day of intense negotiations, he committed his future to the ambitious Lancashire outfit.
“I don’t really want to talk about the other clubs who were interested in me,” he said. “I just feel I have made the right decision by coming here.
“My previous experiences with Mark Hughes were a major factor because he is an exceptional coach and an incredible man.
“He has known me since I was 19, he knows how I play and so do all the coaching staff here. I still have plenty of improving to do but with the guidance I know I will get here, I can’t see why that can’t happen.
“I know Blackburn had a problem scoring goals last season, so hopefully I can rectify that, either by scoring myself or creating them. And if that happens there is no reason why we cannot qualify for Europe.”
Bellamy’s arrival follows that of Shefki Kuqi from Ipswich last week, with Hughes hinting he had not yet given up home of bringing Andy Cole back to Blackburn from Fulham.
However, as Bellamy acknowledged in a perceptive judgement few may think him capable of, on some days football gossip is of no significance whatsoever.
“It has been a difficult few weeks for me and I am glad to get my future sorted out,” he said.
“But what has gone on today puts a different perspective on everything. Sometimes, football has to come second to other things – and this is one of those days.”
| Related Stories: |
|
