Ritchie Reveals Admiration For Ginola

By Dan King - Newcastle United Digital Editor
In County Kildare

New boy Matt Ritchie has revealed how he idolised former Magpies winger David Ginola when he was a youngster.

The 26-year-old Scotland international joined Newcastle from Bournemouth earlier this month, and answered questions from supporters for nufcTV's #RitchPickings feature at United's County Kildare training camp this week.

As well as speaking about his admiration for Ginola, he also hailed Alan Shearer and responded to queries about Jesus Gamez's beard and his favourite pre-match meal as he drew questions from a hat at random.

And he lifted the lid on the personal target he has set for goals and assists in the season ahead.

Ritchie said: "Thanks for sending your questions in. I look forward to seeing you all at St. James' Park for my first game there."

Here are the questions and answers in full - and if your question wasn't answered, we will be holding similar sessions with other players over the course of the new campaign.

@kloppitee: How much of an impact did Rafa have on your move to @NUFC?
"It had a massive impact. He's a fantastic manager and he's been at the top of the game, so yeah, it was a big part of my decision."

@matttnorris: What do you think of Jesus Gamez's beard?
(Laughs) "I think it's a very good beard. He obviously takes a lot of time over it - it's strong."

@fehmi100: Is it harder in the Championship or Premier League? Do you think we have a chance of winning it with a manager like Rafa Benitez?
"For sure, it's a tough league. I wouldn't like to say which one's harder; I think there's more quality, obviously, in the Premier League but the amount of games and the quick succession that they come in is very tough in the Championship. And yes, with the manager we've got and the group of players we've got, we've got a great chance of being right up there at the end of the season."

@Lloyd_Thompsonn: When you score your first goal for the Toon, can you do the @alanshearer celebration?
(Laughs) "I suppose I can, yeah! I'd probably get a bit of stick from the lads if I did that but I'll have to wait and see..."

@JaamesChick: David Ginola or Laurent Robert?
"I'd have to say David Ginola. He was a player that I looked up to when I was a kid. I thought very highly of him, he was a top player, and obviously he had a fantastic career so yeah, David Ginola for me."

@IzharJr: What challenges are you expecting for the upcoming season?
"I think the challenge of the Championship is tough and there are many challenges. As I said before, the quick succession of games - Saturday, Tuesday, three games a week at some stages of the season - will certainly be tough and I think going away on a Tuesday night to some stadiums that some of the lads won't have experienced will be a challenge that we need to make sure we overcome and really step up to the task."

@erikheimdal00: Have you set yourself any goals or targets for the season?
"I try not to set actual numbers but I have in my head that I'd like to get ten goals and ten assists minimum. But that's a target that, as the season goes on, hopefully I can adjust. The main thing is to have an impact on the team and success of the football club."

@LeonMilner15: Who's your favourite ever #NUFC player?
"I'd probably have to say Alan Shearer, just for the amount of goals he scored and the career he had. It was a fantastic career and he's someone who, as a kid, I think every player looked up to."

@Ajaxnewell: What's your favourite pre-match meal/snack?
"Sweet potato and chicken is always in my pre-match meal, with some veg as well; pretty boring and standard, but it does the job."

@uponthisrock34: As a professional footballer, what's it like moving from one end of the country to the other?
"I think it's something that you know you're going to have to do throughout your career, and moving around the country to play football is a privilege - especially to come to a Club like Newcastle, with the history of the football club, the fans and the potential that the football club has now. It's a great place to be and I'm delighted to be here."

You can watch the full #RitchPickings video on nufcTV here