Haris Vuckic Is Scoring Goals Galore For Rangers But Not Newcastle United

There is one Newcastle United player who has scored five goals in his last seven games and nine since February - but unfortunately for Magpies supporters Haris Vuckic is currently wearing the blue of Rangers and not the famous black-and-white stripes. While Vuckic is likely to be involved in the Scottish Championship play-offs and possibly promotion with Rangers, his parent club have picked up five points since he left and the Magpies face a relegation scrap. This may leave many Newcastle fans wondering why, when the Magpies have such a threadbare squad, the 22-year-old Slovenian international was allowed to leave for Glasgow. Sent out on loan on deadline day to the Scottish club - in theory alongside four other players - Vuckic was expected to gain some much-needed first-team experience north of the border, but he has gone above and beyond expectations. Nine goals in 13 matches from attacking-midfield, even in the Scottish Championship, is certainly not something to be scoffed at.

True, Vuckic has in no way met the heights that were expected of him when he arrived on Tyneside in 2009 from Domzale as a 16-year-old - with the likes of AC Milan and Atletico Madrid constantly linked with him - but Newcastle's squad is paper thin, and they simply need numbers. Failed loan spells at Cardiff City and Rotherham United, as well as seven largely-unfruitful first-team appearances for the Magpies, may suggest Vuckic is not good enough to be a Newcastle player - but he has shown glimpses. A man-of-the-match performance against Arsenal in the Capital One Cup fourth round in 2010, and a brilliant display against West Bromwich Albion in 2011 prove there is talent there. As with Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa and Davide Santon, Vuckic has been allowed to enjoy a season out on loan at sides who are playing reasonably well - while their parent club has continued to plummet down the table. For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow WhatCultureNUFC on Twitter and Facebook.