Former Motherwell keeper Mark Gillespie is preparing for a sensational return to top team football in Sunday’s Carabao Cup Final after an absence of almost three YEARS.
But Newcastle’s fourth choice goalie is perfect for the wacky Wembley storyline against Manchester United according to ex-Well assistant Keith Lasley - because he is the least crazy keeper he’s ever met. Gillespie is vying with Loris Karius to get the nod from Eddie Howe as his boyhood club chase their first domestic cup since 1955.
A red card for first choice Nick Pope at the weekend has thrust the two squad men to the forefront with back-up Martin Dubravka cup-tied and third choice Karl Darlow recently sent out on loan to Hull. It’s left Howe in a sweat over his number one and Lasley jokes the St James’ boss will probably need to play both keepers to stop the red hot Red Devils. Gillespie last played for the Magpies in the same competition against Newport County in September 2020 - just three months after leaving Motherwell - meaning he’s gone 29 months without top team football.
But, if called upon, Lasley insists Gillespie won’t wilt in the heat of the occasion because he has the coolest head of any keeper he’s come across. He said: “Let’s be honest you’d probably need a couple of goalies playing against Manchester United and Marcus Rashford just now.
“But Mark was absolutely fantastic for Motherwell and I’d back him in a big game like the cup final to do well. Let’s hope he gets the nod and performs well because he’s a great lad.
“Mark’s temperament was one of his biggest strengths at Motherwell. He is a measured, intelligent guy who has his head screwed on .. unlike most of the goalkeepers I have played with to be honest!
“He was actually studying for a degree with the Open University in his spare time. He thought about the game, the tactical side and was a deep thinker away from football.
“So I don’t think he’ll be spooked or fazed by the occasion at all.”
Gillespie had to bide his time at Well before taking over from Trevor Carson in his first season in Lanarkshire after signing from Walsall in 2018. But the Geordie made the number one shirt his own and and helped the Steelmen finish third in season 2019-20 before making the switch to his hometown club and boyhood heroes.
Lasley reckons the experience of backs-to-the-wall encounters against the Old Firm at Ibrox and Parkhead will stand the 30-year-old in good stead for Wembley should he get the nod.
He said: “Goalkeepers need to bide their time and take a big opportunity if it comes along. They don’t come much bigger than this!
“He was number two to Trevor Carson at Motherwell and was patient then when his chance came along he took it. So it’s not new to him coming in from the cold and even though this is a different stage if he gets the nod on Sunday I’m confident Mark would give a good account of himself.
“He will be well prepared physically and mentally and it will help that he’s played in big arenas like Ibrox and Parkhead for Motherwell. He is a big Newcastle fan.
"Getting some sleep ahead of the game would probably be his biggest problem as he’ll be absolutely buzzing. I know a few lads from the north east and be it Newcastle or Sunderland, if you support either then it’s really ingrained in you.
“There’s no hiding it and Mark was no different. When he got the chance to go and sign for them it was boyhood dream stuff.
“Newcastle are flying and it would be a brilliant story if Mark, having played three times in as many years for them, got to lift the cup on Sunday.”
