Marcus Tavernier has admitted his friend’s loyalties are split ahead of his St James’ Park homecoming this weekend. Nine years ago, the winger was released by Newcastle United and offered a lifeline on Teesside.
The youngster had moved to Newcastle from Yorkshire as a nine-year-old after his brother, James, was recruited by the Magpies. After seeing his first-team opportunities limited, the older Tavernier left to pave his career and is now considered a club legend at Rangers.
It became clear that Marcus, too, had a natural footballing gift and he soon enrolled in United’s academy. However, the youngster was released in 2013 and Middlesbrough quickly swooped in.
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Still living in Newcastle’s west end, Tavernier realised his potential on Teesside to emerge as one of the Championship’s brightest talents. A skilful winger who can also operate as a number 10, the 23-year-old represented England at under-19 and under-20 level.
Now, following a summer move to Bournemouth, Tavernier is sampling his first taste of Premier League action. Nine years after being told he was not good enough, the £15million man will go head-to-head against his former club.
Tavernier confessed that, after growing up on Tyneside, his close friends are torn about this weekend’s clash. He told AFCBTV: “Most of my friends are Newcastle fans so they want me to win the game, but they also want their team to win!
“I grew up in Newcastle and I lived there while I was at Middlesbrough, and I know a lot about the city and the club and everything to do with it. Newcastle have been great. You can see in the Manchester City game how well they played. They’re going well about their business at the minute.”
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