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Former NUFC winger declares “Newcastle United have got a very special talent on their hands in Miguel Almiron”

5 years ago
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Monday night at Wolves was an interesting night for many reasons, not least because Newcastle fans got their first sighting of Miguel Almiron.

Whilst some supporters were clamouring for the new signing to start, Rafa Benitez was never going to go with that.

Always careful as to when to introduce players, whether after injury or signing, the manager gave him the last 20 minutes .

Miguel Almiron certainly gave it plenty of energy and impressed fans with his pace.

Now Rafa Benitez has these near two weeks to work with the signing from the MLS and the rest of the quad, ahead of Huddersfield at home.

One-time Newcastle winger Stephen Glass has given the signing his backing, saying that his old club have brought in a ‘fearless footballer, very attack-minded’ player to St James Park.

Newcastle are a team that have a lot of things, especially discipline and hard work, but with Kenedy so poor, they haven’t had a single player who runs at the opposition.

Stephen Glass, who was signed by Kenny Dalglish over 20 years ago, has seen Miguel Almiron at close quarter over the last six months of the player’s time at Atlanta.

Glass was an Academy coach initially, before being put in charge of Atlanta United 2 (reserve side) last month (see below).

As well as being a threat in terms of goals and creativity, Glass says Miguel Almiron will also ‘work for the team’…

I feel it will be this quality that will probably give Rafa Benitez the necessary confidence to play this flair player earlier than he might otherwise have done, if it was a striker/creative player with not so much of a work ethic.

I think the only doubt is whether it will be Huddersfield in eight days time or Burnley three days later, when Almiron makes his first start.

Stephen Glass talking to the Shields Gazette:

“Newcastle United have got a very special talent on their hands in Miguel Almiron.

“He is a fearless footballer, very attack-minded.

“Having been at Newcastle I know exactly what the Geordies appreciate and Almiron has it in abundance.

“He is someone who has no fear with the ball at his feet but will also work very hard without it.

“He is a very dangerous player and will work for the team.

“The MLS is a very different style, a different culture to Europe, but there are some very good players at most of the teams over here.

“Iff Almiron suceeds, as I expect he will, then you may see one or two others looking to signs stars of the MLS. He has the power to change perceptions with this move.

“Miguel is a player who ‘gets it’…he was adored by thousands here at Atlanta, played to massive sell out crowds, so he will not be overawed by playing at a special place like St James Park.

“Every player wants to play at grounds like Newcastle and I’m sure the Geordies can’t wait to see Almiron for themselves.

“People have spoken about his lack of English, but it is OK.”

The Mag – 31 January 2019:

Atlanta United have made an official announcement but it isn’t the departure of Miguel Almiron just yet.

Whilst a transfer to Newcastle is set to be completed on Thursday, instead the MLS club have revealed who their new Atlanta United 2 Head Coach is.

By coincidence it is a former Newcastle player who is taking on the role looking after Atlanta’s reserve set-up.

Stephen Glass was signed by Kenny Dalglish back in 1998 and made 42 appearances altogether in his three years at the club.

The winger coming on as a sub in the 2-0 FA Cup final defeat to Manchester United in 1999.

Glass arrived at Atlanta United five months ago to work at their Academy and has now had a quick promotion.

Atlanta United official announcement:

‘Atlanta United 2 today announced it has appointed Stephen Glass from Atlanta United’s Academy to head coach of the USL Championship team. Glass assumes the position following the departure of Scott Donnelly, who left the club to pursue a new opportunity at the beginning of the year.

“Coming from our Academy, Stephen understands the club’s philosophy and is a natural fit for Atlanta United 2,” said Atlanta United Vice President and Technical Director Carlos Bocanegra. “He is someone who embodies the club’s core values and recognizes what it takes to be an Atlanta United player.”

Glass joined the club in August 2018 as a head coach for the Academy’s U-17 team, which he led to a 6-2-4 record and is currently 4th in the Southeast Division.

He holds UEFA Pro, UEFA A and UEFA B coaching licenses and came to Atlanta after serving as Coaching Director of the Carolina Rapids, a youth club affiliated with MLS’s Colorado Rapids. Prior to his time with the Rapids, Glass was also the Coaching Director for Triangle Football Club in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Prior to coaching, Glass enjoyed an outstanding professional playing career in the English Premier League with Newcastle United (1998-2001), scoring seven times in 42 appearances. He spent two seasons in the English Championship with Watford before moving to his native Scotland and appeared in 86 matches for Hibernian in the Scottish Premier League.

He concluded his playing career with a stint in NASL as a member of the Carolina Railhawks in 2011. Overall, Glass made 380 professional league appearances, while also representing Scotland internationally.

ATL UTD 2’s preseason begins this Friday, Feb. 1. The team will play four preseason matches against Clemson University, Tormenta FC, Chattanooga FC and Charlotte Independence.

ATL UTD 2 kicks off its second season in its new home of Fifth Third Bank Stadium in Kennesaw, Georgia on March 9 against USL Championship expansion team Hartford Athletic at 7:30 p.m. EST.’

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