Source: Daily_Mail
Harper thriving out of Shay's shadow after turning down Spurs switch
Steve Harper has revealed he turned down the chance to join Tottenham [LNB]earlier in the season to prove himself at Newcastle[LNB].[LNB]The goalkeeper is enjoying a run in the side after long-serving Shay Given joined Manchester City last month.[LNB]Harper, who arrived at St James' Park in 1993, had been Given's deputy for the majority of his Magpies career but still turned down a £500,000 move to White Hart Lane.[LNB] In command: Steve Harper is Newcastle's first choice after a long stint as Shay Given's deputy[LNB]'Ask any of the managers who have been here in my time - and there's been about 100 - and they'll all tell you that I've always knocked on the door and asked to play, but I haven't done it publicly,' he told The Times. [LNB]'I haven't slagged anybody off or started fights in training. My contract was up at the end of this season and, after Kevin Keegan left, talks about a new one dried up.[LNB] EXCLUSIVE: Kinnear to collect £1m bonus if Newcastle stay in the Premier League[LNB]VIDEO: David Bentley bags £15k watch by booting ball into skip from rooftop[LNB]Carr could soon have the Blues after impressing McLeish on trial[LNB]NEWCASTLE UNITED FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE NET[LNB]TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE NET[LNB] [LNB]'Bosman transfers are fantastic if you're young and playing regularly, but if you're 33, have a family and a mortgage and haven't played a lot of football, you're conscious of injury and being in the pool of unemployed players. [LNB]'There was speculation about Shay and I wanted to see what happened in January. Tottenham offered half a million for me, which was flattering, but, as it turned out, I signed my deal, Shay left and I'm still here.'[LNB] Safe hands: Given makes a save for new club Manchester City [LNB] [LNB]Harper admits times are tough on Tyneside with manager Joe Kinnear out of action following a heart operation and the club hovering above the relegation zone.[LNB]But the shot-stopper expects a change in fortune, adding: 'There doesn't seem to be any middle ground - you are either at the top of the slope or at the bottom of the dip and we need to aim for the middle ground for a bit.[LNB]'This season, the circumstances have been different, but you get the feeling it's all happened before. When things pick up, there's a built-in self-destruct button. [LNB]'It needs eradicating, but I wake up every morning and tell myself, "When this place is right, it'll take off'". [LNB]'I have seen it all here. It's a special place with special fans. We've got to stay up and then start again. [LNB]'Stability and Newcastle aren't words that go together, but it's what we're crying out for.'[LNB] EXCLUSIVE: Kinnear to collect £1m bonus if Newcastle stay in the Premier League[LNB]VIDEO: David Bentley bags £15k watch by booting ball into skip from rooftop[LNB]Carr could soon have the Blues after impressing McLeish on trial[LNB]NEWCASTLE UNITED FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE NET[LNB]TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE NET[LNB] [LNB]
