Atmosphere’s key for Mark

Apr 17 2008 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal

THE Glasgow derby is viewed by many as one of the most passionate clashes on the planet but having experienced both, Mark Viduka thinks there is little to choose between the Old Firm and Tyne-Wear rivalries.

The Newcastle striker is set to appear in his first such game at St James’s Park on Sunday. But having played in the reverse fixture at the Stadium of Light and having witnessed the rivalry from a distance during his time with North East neighbours Middlesbrough, the Australian believes the atmosphere can match anything he experienced during two seasons with Celtic.

“The only thing I can really compare it to is the Celtic-Rangers games I was involved with in Scotland,” he said. “They were big, big games and everybody talks about the depth of the Old Firm rivalry, but I honestly think Newcastle-Sunderland is right up there with it.

“In Scotland, everyone looks forward to the Old Firm games from the first weekend of the season. In the North East, it’s the same with Newcastle against Sunderland.

“You play football for those sort of games and that sort of atmosphere. The rivalry spurs you on, it’s what football should always be about.”

Viduka’s memories of the Glaswegian game, normally played five or six times a season, are not particularly good.

The forward played five Old Firm matches during his time with Celtic but managed just one point.

Both sides go into Sunday’s game with much-improved form, particularly United, who are unbeaten in their last five matches.

Although no sequence of results would make it a good season for the Magpies, Viduka and his team-mates are conscious that the way they finish the current campaign could impact on how they start the next one.

“It’s important to finish the season strongly,” he argued. “A month or so ago, we were struggling for confidence and some of the supporters were probably wondering where the next win was going to come from.

“That’s changed now. We’ve picked things up and, especially at home, we’ve had some great performances and scored plenty of goals. We want to maintain that over the last four matches.

“Everybody wants to see Newcastle beating teams comfortably at home, and we want to see that as well. It’s not always going to be a comfortable game, but as long as we play nice football and are resilient like we were against Portsmouth, we know we’re on the right track.”

More importantly, a player who has spent his last 10 years based in Britain is acutely aware of the derby’s significance to fans of either side.

Viduka fully expects a sold-out St James’s to inspire the hosts and stressed United cannot afford to let the fans down.

“It’s a massive game for us,” said the 32-year-old striker who recently expressed a desire to prolong his international career with the Socceroos.

“I can assure you each and every member of the squad knows exactly what this means to the fans.

“We’re going into it with a positive attitude because of the way the last month has gone.

“I’ve been in the North East long enough to know what this game is all about, and I played in the last derby and really enjoyed it.

“The result wasn’t quite what we wanted, but everything else about the occasion was superb.

“It’ll be even better now that we’re at home.

“With 52,000 Geordies roaring us on, it’s going to be something special.”