Miguel Almiron insists he wants to "work in silence" as he continued his sensational year following controversial comments made by Jack Grealish.
The Newcastle star has been among the Premier League's standout performers with the Magpies exceeding expectations by sitting in the top four.
The newly crowned Premier League Player of the Month has scored eight times this season, with six coming in October alone, including a stunning strike against Fulham which has also been crowned as October's goal of the month.
The Paraguayan, who was signed in January 2019 by Rafa Benitez, has been unable to hit the heights expected of him but is now looking a class act under Eddie Howe. Almiron's resurgence comes after he was mocked by Grealish following Manchester City's title triumph last term.
He joked that Riyad Mahrez needed to be hooked during their final day comeback against Aston Villa, comparing his performance to that of Newcastle's playmaker. He said: "Riyad, take him off the pitch, as soon as possible. He played like Almiron."
Grealish's comments copped major criticism from some, but now look to have left the City man red faced. The £100m playmaker is struggling to justify his mammoth fee whilst Almiron has gone to a new level at St James' Park, but holds no ill feeling against the England star.
He told the Chronicle : "All that incident did really was highlight that when that type of thing happens here it shows the greatness of the Newcastle supporters. I actually did not pay too much attention to the comments at first I will be honest because I prefer to just get on with my job and do my work in silence. I just get on with my work and the only thing that matters to me is to improve myself.
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"When you achieve things in life it only comes through hard work and sacrifice anyway, especially in football, it's never through words. At the time when the (Grealish) stuff all came up, I was then filled with happiness and pride with the way the Newcastle supporters rallied around me. They showed their support at that point and it was really important."
Almiron has maintained that there is no ill-feeling and he'd welcome the City man when they next met. "Of course, I'd shake hands with him, whenever we play against Man City without a shadow of a doubt. Like I have said and as I keep on insisting to people Jack Grealish is a great player and I just wish him all the best," he added.
Howe has hailed Almiron's form and praised the fact he didn't dwell on Grealish's comments. "The bigger picture for Miggy is being the best he can be for Newcastle," he said. "He loves the club, the supporters love him, he loves the supporters back and his motivations are greater than any comment from any individual. He is proud to play for his country as well so he has huge positive things in his life that drive him."
