Why Newcastle should sign in-form keeper Mark Gillespie
According to the Daily Record, Newcastle are keen on landing former academy graduate Mark Gillespie from Motherwell.
Gillespie, who currently plays as a goalkeeper for the Wells has earned rave reviews in Scotland after his impressive display between the sticks. His consistency in goal has seen him feature in all their 30 league matches so far.
He also holds the second-best record for clean sheets in the Scottish Premiership this season, with 11 to his name. The 28-year-old Gillespie is only behind Rangers star Allan McGregor and Celtic stopper Fraser Foster, who have both managed 14 clean sheets each.
Despite managing just 14 wins from 30 games, Motherwell has managed to cling onto third place in the table, majorly due to Gillespie’s form in goal. Gillespie has been so excellent that the Steve Robinson-led side have conceded just 39 goals, making them the third-best defensive unit in the top division.
However, instances of Gillespie’s growing presence within the Motherwell line-up was evident last season itself, when he replaced injured veteran keeper Trevor Carson as the side’s first-choice man.
In his maiden season in Scotland, the Englishman kept 8 clean sheets from 27 league games. His penalty saves on four different occasions in the same season further elevated him to the first-choice keeper’s role the following season.
Gillespie had earlier arrived at Fir Park for free in the summer of 2018 from League One side Walsall. However, his two-year deal is set to expire this summer and the Magpies are in the hunt for their former youth player.
Gillespie had spent his early years at Newcastle’s academy before switching to Carlisle United in 2008, at the age of 16. Meanwhile, Newcastle boss Steve Bruce wants to rope in a new keeper to give competition for his side’s main man Martin Dubravka.
The 31-year-old shot-stopper has been arguably one of their top players this season, saving their weak defence from conceding just 41 goals. The Slovakian international’s nine clean sheets in the league have further helped them stay 13th in the table despite their attack managing just 25 goals from 29 games.
The Magpies have back-up keepers in Karl Darlow and Rob Elliot. However, both their contracts are set to end this season, further prompting Bruce to secure the signature of in-form custodian Gillespie.
The two are also not expected to pen down new deals, thus offering Bruce options at the back if he succeeds in bringing their former academy player. Former Kilmarnock and Aberdeen keeper Freddie Woodman is set to make a return to St. James’ Park following the end of his loan spell at Swansea this season.
However, Bruce is still eager to add another custodian to his side in a bid to improve his side’s prospects next season. Thus, by all means, Gillespie coming back to Newcastle would be a win-win situation for both parties.
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Verdict
With uncertainty surrounding the future of Darlow and Elliot, the Magpies are clearly in need of a new goalkeeper ahead of next season and who better than their former graduate Gillespie.
He has been one of the best keepers in Scotland this season, making him a perfect fit at St. James’ Park. Moreover, Gillespie can ease the burden on main man Dubravka, who has been guarding their post tirelessly this whole season.
