Source: Daily_Mail
Andy Carroll is on cloud 9: Alan Shearer says Newcastle striker can be a Toon legend
The baton and the shirt have been passed. The final seal of approval for Andy Carroll to inherit the tag of local hero as well as Newcastle's No 9 shirt came from the last icon of the Toon Army. [LNB]Alan Shearer wore a smile as wide as any Geordie fan as Carroll slotted in his third and Newcastle's last goal in the 6-0 rout of Aston Villa on Sunday - and it wasn't just because an ambitious bet had come in. [LNB] It's wor Andy: Carroll has shown the guts needed to wear the Newcastle No 9 shirt[LNB]The former England captain carried a £15million transfer fee around his shoulders when he moved home to become 'wor No 9' in 1996, yet Shearer was a polished player in his prime and with a league title to his name. [LNB]Carroll has no monetary burden, but is still learning his trade. A season in the Championship aided an apprenticeship that he will try to finish in the most demanding playground of all - the Barclays Premier League. [LNB]He has the talent, even if the nous and temperament have yet to be proved. [LNB]In a mutual show of admiration for the 21-year-old who used to have the Toon legend's poster on his bedroom wall, Shearer believes Carroll has earned the right to wear the jersey. [LNB]Shearer, 40, said: 'I was delighted that Andy had, if you like, the gutsthe take the No 9 shirt because we know that players over the years have shied away from it. It is a big responsibility because it is a hugeshirt. [LNB]Tough act to follow: Alan Shearer will be remembered as one of the greatest No 9s in Newcastle history[LNB]'There have been some big, big names that have worn the shirt and some great players at that. I'm not talking about myself. I'm talking about the Jackie Milburns, the Malcolm Macdonalds and the Les Ferdinands, players like that. Andy has got a chance now. He is confident and he wants to be given that chance so good luck to him.' [LNB]After 44 starts for Newcastle, the sudden anointing of Carroll as a prospective England centre forward is premature. The player himself appreciates that. [LNB]He said: 'I just concentrate on myself. I know I can play football and score goals like I did and that's what I set out to do.' [LNB]While Carroll's status seems assured for now, the future for Shearer is more clouded. The Match of the Day sofa may be comfortable but he hinted on Sunday that he may prefer to return to management, even if it is not at Newcastle. [LNB]Shearer took charge of his hometown club for the final eight games of the 2008-09 season but couldn't prevent them slipping into the Championship. With Chris Hughton now ensconced as manager, Shearer may have to look elsewhere. [LNB]He said: 'I really loved the job in spite of what happened and I would do it again tomorrow if I could. Not necessarily here at Newcastle but I would certainly do it again given the right people to work with, the right club and the finances to spend. [LNB]'If the right job came along, and that is not necessarily in the Premier League, then I'd do it, without a doubt. But there must be 300 or 400 people looking for that right one. I have a great job at this moment but I wouldn't rule anything out.'[LNB] Andy Carroll refuses to be distracted by England talk after first hat-trick for NewcastleSign up to our FREE Fantasy Football game - with £40,000 in prize money up for grabsNewcastle 6 Aston Villa 0: Carroll hat trick leads terrific Toon Army to rompEngland's Euro 2012 hopefuls: Who Fabio can't ignore for the qualifiersNEWCASTLE UNITED FC
