Alan Shearer has said that Newcastle fans have 'hope' and 'excitement' once again.
On BBC's Match of the Day, Shearer was asked his feelings on the takeover - led by Amanda Staveley and backed by the Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund - by host Mark Chapman:
"There’s hope, there’s excitement because Ashley’s gone and the new owners are in. The fans have now got a voice. They’ve been listened to. There’s been more communication this week than there has been in the last 14 years, so that has to be a good thing," said the ex-Newcastle hero.
Shearer did mention the criticisms of the new ownership, as he said, "I understand the tough questions that will be asked and rightly so. Newcastle fans can’t be blamed for that. They don’t make the directors and owners tests and they can’t be blamed for celebrating."
Chapman then pushed further on this, asking, "It’s a good thing that questions are being asked?"
Shearer replied that, "the more questions that are asked – that can only highlight the human rights issues which are obviously happening in Saudi Arabia."
Finally, there was a word for Steve Bruce's 1000th game in management. Chapman asked if it would be a nice story to begin the new era with a win for Steve Bruce on his landmark game, despite the criticism surrounding him.
Shearer responded in the affirmative.
"What an achievement to get there and I hope the game goes well for himself, the team and the Newcastle fans."
Newcastle face Tottenham Hotspur at St James' Park at 4.30pm today.
