The Serbian striker gave a committed cameo performance at St James’s Park in the draw with Southampton.
Steve McClaren has been discussing the debut of Newcastle United striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, following the 2-2 draw with Southampton at the weekend, as quoted by the Chronicle.
Both Chancel Mbemba and Georginio Wijnaldum started the Magpies’ first game of the season, while the Serbian international began the game on the bench, possibly on account of his more fractured pre-season preparations compared to his fellow arrivals.
And McClaren was vindicated with his team selections, as Papiss Cisse, picked ahead of Mitrovic, scored the club’s first goal, while Wijnaldum put them in the lead early in the second half.
20-year-old Mitrovic entered the fray in the 75th minute, and certainly made it clear what kind of player he was, with full-blooded challenges on Matt Targett and Maya Yoshida, the former of which earned him a yellow card within seconds of his arrival.
However much his early enthusiasm could have been argued to have overstepped the mark, there is no doubt that Newcastle have a fully committed player that is sure to bring passion and zeal when he is on the pitch.
McClaren said that though Mitrovic could have been dismissed for the challenges, it was evident of his desire to make an impression.
“We were quite fortunate he did not get a red there and there would have been no complaints if he did,” the 54-year-old said in the Chronicle. “I don’t know if he got that much contact but I’m just saying with the present rules of the game.
“I think in the olden days those kinds of challenges were 10-a-penny.
“That’s what he (Mitrovic) is. He certainly doesn’t hold back. He wanted to come on and impress.
“He’s only a young lad and you can see how strong and direct he is. He is going to be a player.”
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