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Jonas: 'Pedro's Still One Of The Best'
Written by Newcastle Utd
Jonas Gutierrez paid tribute to Peter Beardsley after the latter was inducted into the Club's Hall of Fame
By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Managing Editor
Jonas Gutierrez believes one of the best players at Newcastle United is someone who hasn't kicked a ball competitively in 14 years.
The Argentine thought he knew all about Magpies legend Peter Beardsley when he arrived on Tyneside in 2008 from Real Mallorca, despite only seeing the mercurial forward's exploits on video tape.
Following two hugely successful spells in the black and white stripes Beardsley is now United's Football Development Manager, and has a day-to-day involvement in the Club's Reserve side.
And when the former England man - who made 799 club appearances during a glittering career - makes up the numbers on the training pitch, Gutierrez revealed he is still head and shoulders above everyone else.
"I already knew of Peter when I joined as I had seen a few videos," Gutierrez told nufc.co.uk, after Beardsley was inducted into the Newcastle United Foundation's Hall of Fame last week.
"He was an amazing player, and still is!
"Sometimes he joins in during training and he has too much quality than the rest of us!
"His feet are superb and it is a pleasure and an honour to train with somebody like that
"It is great to have someone like that at the training ground. He is an example for the younger players and all of us, and has a great spirit and desire for this Club to do well."
Gutierrez was also full of praise for the Club's first ever Hall of Fame event, held at St. James' Park. It was a huge success, attended by some of the Magpies' biggest names from the past and present.
"It was really important to be at the event and to be involved," he explained.
"This is a massive Club with a big history and everyone knows about us. It is only right to celebrate that."