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Taylor's Tribute To Hero Jonas
Written by Newcastle Utd
Ryan Taylor spoke to nufc.co.uk about the return to action of teammate Jonas Gutierrez
By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Managing Editor
No footballer likes to be substituted, but when Ryan Taylor saw his number come up on Wednesday night, he was happy to make way.
That was because the man stepping on to the St. James' Park pitch in his place was Jonas Gutierrez - making his first appearance since overcoming testicular cancer.
The Argentine international played the final 25 minutes of the single-goal defeat against Manchester United, and Taylor was delighted to have him not only back on the pitch, but in the dressing room as well.
"It was a huge moment," Taylor told nufc.co.uk.
"You never want to go off but it was made slightly easier by the fact Jonas was coming on. As he was preparing to come on, the stadium went crazy.
"It was his return, it was really pleasing to see Jonas come on the pitch, and he went on one of his old-fashioned runs towards the end, which was great to see.
"He can only get stronger from this now and look to play more games before the end of the season.
"Everyone in the dressing room is so pleased for him. When he wasn't there, we realised just how much we missed him.
"He's loud, shouts and screams, sings all the time and gets the dressing room perked up. On a Monday morning when it's quite quiet he will just start dancing and singing, and it makes everyone laugh.
"We just didn't have that while he was away. But he is back now and hopefully he can stay back for a long time."
It was an important game for Taylor, too, making his first start since the end of November, and only his sixth appearance of the campaign, having recovered from back-to-back cruciate ligament injuries.
The versatile Scouser, who is out of contract in the summer, was deployed at left-back and found himself up against Angel Di Maria - the Premier League's record signing.
But he relished the challenge and is now looking for more games before the end of the season.
"It was my first start in three or four months and it was tough, but nice to get 65 minutes under my belt," explained the 30-year-old.
"I haven't played left-back since that season we finished fifth, and to get chucked in I was delighted, but I was being chucked in against top, top players.
"But I will do what I can for the team, and if that means filling in in any position, I will do it - and for as long as required.
"I know he (Di Maria) is going through a tough time in getting used to it over here, but he is still a great player.
"I had to stay as tight as I could because his movement is that quick, but sometimes you just can't deal with it and that is why he is worth £60million.
"You live for nights like this. You want to play against the best players in the league."