Clark's Delight At Magpies Bow

By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Managing Editor

Ciaran Clark was delighted to make his Newcastle United debut in Wednesday night's 4-1 victory over Reading at St. James' Park.

And the versatile defender praised his teammates for their second-half performance, insisting it showed "great character" to come back and win the game, having conceded on the stroke of half-time for the third game running.

Clark partnered Chancel Mbemba at the heart of the Magpies rearguard and looked a reliable presence, particularly given it was his first meaningful action since turning out for Ireland in Euro 2016 earlier this summer.

The 26-year-old was penalised, however, for a trip on Royals midfielder John Swift with seconds of the first period remaining.

That led to Reading's equaliser from the spot, but after the interval a Dwight Gayle brace and one from Matt Ritchie secured all three points for United.

"The win was the most important thing but it was an amazing feeling to get out there and make my debut," Clark told nufc.co.uk.

"It was a good win. Overall, I think we were the better team.

"My performance was okay. I probably should have done better with a header in the first half. I had control of it and should have kept it down, but hopefully next time I get the opportunity I will make better use of it.

"As for the penalty, I don't know if it was. I felt it was quite a soft one, and it was at an important time of the game - just before half-time.

"We should have been going in with the lead, so to be going in drawing was obviously very disappointing.

"But we showed great character in the second half and came out just as quick as we did at the start of the first half. There were some great goals out there, some great performances, and the team did really well.

"We created plenty of chances, and if you're doing that and looking dangerous in the final third, then with the lads we have in the squad we are always going to score goals."

Clark, Mbemba, captain Jamaal Lascelles and Grant Hanley have all featured in the centre of Newcastle's defence already this term, as boss Rafa Benitez tries to find his best team.

But Clark believes that level of competition can only benefit the Magpies in their quest to return to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

"There's been three different pairings there already, so there's good competition," he explained.

"But that's the same all over the squad. We have quality players and with the amount of games there are in this league it's a good thing for us.

"We all go out there in training and push each other to try and get the best out of each other.

"No matter who plays, the rest of the boys give them full support, and it's a dressing room that has a real unity about it."