An ordinary man with an extraordinary shirt – Papiss Demba Cissé is Newcastle new number nine with a difference. Mark Douglas reports.

PAPISS Demba Cissé is not the first footballer to celebrate a sensational debut goal with a pint.

Newcastle United’s new number nine might be the first one to toast it with a pint of milk though – a trip to the corner shop which brought him his first brush with the fame which surrounds being Tyneside’s newest star.

Cissé has been the talk of Newcastle ever since an introduction to St James’ Park Alan Pardew rightly likened to “boy’s own stuff.”

Scoring on your first game is one thing – walloping a goal of the season contender in front of a packed out Gallowgate is quite another.

So no wonder he was pestered for his autograph when he popped down the shops this week.

“I have really enjoyed it so far,” he said, beaming from ear to ear as he recalls his first seven days in the North East.

“I have had a lot of help from my team-mates and I hope I am going to be very happy here.

“It has been a good start and I have liked what I have seen of the club and the city.

“Yes, I have been recognised. The other day I went to the corner shop to buy milk and a few things and people recognised me straight away.

“They were shouting my name, asking for autographs and pictures.

“It made me feel good people are wishing me well here.”

Cisse added: “It has been great, but I do not get over-excited just because I have scored one goal.

“I am not the kind of player who thinks he is a big star.

“I just pray to God I will score even more goals for Newcastle United.

“I am already focused on what happens in the next game.

“I want to be here for a long time and score a lot of goals. That is my ambition.

“I have played one game, that is all. It is just a start.”

Cissé may possess an extraordinary talent, but his lifestyle is refreshingly down-to-earth.