Shearer: players behind Souness

NEWCASTLE skipper Alan Shearer has promised manager Graeme Souness the players remain firmly behind him as speculation mounts that the Scot’s reign could be drawing to a close.

The Magpies are keeping a close eye on Glasgow where Rangers boss Alex McLeish is hanging on by his fingernails with suggestions Souness could head back for a second spell in charge at Ibrox.

Whatever happens on that front, Souness faces a desperate fight to win back the support of the Toon Army after Saturday’s escape against Aston Villa.

However, Shearer insists he will get the full backing of the players. “We are all in this together,” he said. “We’ve all got to stick together and stay united.”

Souness’ plight became critical after going out of the Carling Cup to a second-string Wigan outfit last Wednesday.