There was always something a bit barmy about Newcastles Georgian centre-forward of the 90s, but the bald-headed Temuri Ketsbaia remains a cult hero at St. James Park, with his infamous celebration/assault on the advertising hoardings against Bolton Wanderers being a particular highlight. The year was 1998, and the former AEK Athens hitman had netted a rare winner for the Magpies having come on as a sub, before immediately tearing off his jersey and hurling it into the crowd, before ferociously kicking the advertising boards as if they had insulted his nearest of kin. He would later reveal that it had been a build-up of frustration at having been omitted once again from the starting line-up. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlqCCDh9XT0
''Every team I speak with someone they ask about this celebration! I scored a goal, I was happy to score a goal but I was not happy to not be playing and I was frustrated. Its not a normal celebration, but I play with passion and all I wanted to do was play. It was not malicious. Now, looking back, as a coach I understand this is not the way that a players should behave. I wouldnt be happy, but then I would admire the passion of the player. - Temuri Ketsbaia, April 2011.
Recent Journalism & New Media graduate. Insatiable thirst for all things football, and hopes to break into the field of sports journalism in the near future.
Have made a significantly insignificant playing career out of receiving several slaps around the head for not passing the ball.
