Source: Northern_Echo
Best days on Tyneside are still to come, says delighted Ranger
NILE RANGER has expressed his delight at signing a new five-and-a-half year deal with Newcastle United, and is confident his best days on Tyneside are still to come.[LNB] Ranger, who joined the Magpies from Southampton's youth team in the summer of 2008, committed his longterm future to the Magpies yesterday afternoon.[LNB] The 19-year-old striker made four starts and 21 substitute appearances as Newcastle won the Championship title last season, and has added nine more senior appearances this term, scoring in the 4-3 Carling Cup win at Chelsea. He has edged ahead of the injury-prone Leon Best in Chris Hughton's attacking pecking order, and is widely expected to replace Peter Lovenkrands as the leading alternative to first-choice strike pairing Andy Carroll and Shola Ameobi.[LNB] I'm absolutely buzzing,[LNB] said Ranger, who is an England Under-19 international.[LNB] I'm loving it at Newcastle. I really feel I can develop here and I can only learn from some of the players here.[LNB] The fans have been great with me from day one, and even though I'd spent my whole life down south until I came here, this feels like home now.[LNB] Despite featuring in a majority of Newcastle's pre-season matches, Ranger admits he started the campaign expecting to be sent away on loan.[LNB] A number of Championship clubs inquired about his availability, but Hughton opted to keep him on Tyneside, something the teenager feels has been good for his development.[LNB] When I came back in the summer, I thought I'd probably only be here for a few weeks and then I'd be off on loan, said Ranger. It was a strange feeling. There were a few clubs interested, but the manager decided to put them all off.[LNB] He wanted me to stay here and said I'd progress more if I stayed. I was happy to hear that. It's a good feeling to know the manager wants you to stay. I knew I was going to be part of the squad, and even though I haven't been playing every week, I've been getting my fair share of run-outs.[LNB] Everyone needs experience, and I've been getting that here. The more football I play, hopefully the better I will become.[LNB] Like Ranger, Mike Williamson also signed a new five-and-a-half year deal yesterday, less than a year after he signed his first Newcastle contract to complete a £1.5m move from Portsmouth.[LNB] Playing in the Premier League with a club like Newcastle has been a dream for me, said Williamson. I was delighted to agree a new contract to continue doing that until 2016.[LNB] I've played in the lower leagues before, so to get the opportunity to play at St James' Park every other week and grounds like the Emirates and Old Trafford is fantastic for me. Me and my family have settled here quickly, so it's great to know we'll be staying here for a long time to come.[LNB]
