Souness gets nod to take on tough Toon test

GRAEME SOUNESS will take over as Newcastle boss next week confident that he is ready for the challenge of ending the club’s 35-year trophy drought.

United chairman Freddy Shepherd sprang a surprise yesterday when he appointed the 51-year-old Scot as Bobby Robson's replacement after it emerged Souness had quit his post at Blackburn.

The former Middlesbrough, Liverpool and Rangers midfielder, who won trophies with the Anfield and Ibrox clubs as well as Rovers, will take charge next week and is relishing the prospect.