Alan Shearer on the St James’s Park atmosphere and his favourite Newcastle goal

Coral football ambassador Alan Shearer sat down with our very own David Stevens to discuss topics very close to his heart, relating to hometown team Newcastle United.

Shearer talks about the pressure of playing at St James’s Park in front of the famous Gallowgate End, and his favourite goal scored on Tyneside.

Watch the exclusive videos in full below, and read the best quotes we’ve picked out as Alan answers these burning questions.

Alan Shearer on the pressure of playing at St James’s Park

“It’s a superb atmosphere,” Shearer said of St James’s Park. “That can work either way, because the demand here certainly in the first 15 or 20 minutes of every game is for you to attack and score goals.

“If you haven’t scored within the first 15 or 20 minutes, then you can feel the other team start to grow in confidence. You can hear one or two little moans and groans around the stadium, but in the main you have 52,000 backing you.”

Of Toon Army members, the Newcastle fans, Alan added: “Their desire to win a game here, their desire for success is just unbelievable because they’ve just been starved of it over the years.”

“I’ve seen some very, very good players at Newcastle on the training ground”

“I’ve seen some very, very good players at Newcastle on the training ground,” Shearer continued when asked if the atmosphere on Tyneside proved too much for some.

“When they come onto the pitch in front of 52,000 and they demand you come out and play, then that’s when you find out who your characters are.