Santa Got His Present

Blackburn Rovers striker Roque Santa Cruz has expressed his “relief” at the fact that manager Mark Hughes didn’t leave Ewood Park for Newcastle United.

Hughes was heavily linked with the Newcastle job, but thankfully from Santa Cruz’s point of view (and of course OURS!) Sparky didn’t go anywhere and Kevin Keegan returned to St James’ Park.

Santa Cruz told the Sun: “If he had gone, I would have been happy for him, if it was something he really wanted. I’d have wished him luck.

“But I’ve only been at Blackburn for six months and it would have been disappointing if he’d left so soon when it’s gone so well for me.”

Santa Cruz has also explained that Sparky was the main reason that attracted him to Ewood, as he looked up to him as a player and wants to keep learning from him to become an even better footballer.

He added: “He was the main reason I took the choice to come here. I listened to him and I believed in what he was trying to do.

“I knew what a great player he was and he told me that as an ex-player he felt he could help me to improve.

“It’s a relief that it’s been sorted and he’s staying. I’ve played under some great managers, but I rate him very highly.

“He was a great striker in his day and it’s been great to learn off him. But he’s also a strong character who can get the best out of people.”


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