Newcastle United legend Shay Given believes Jack Grealish's now-infamous jibe against Miguel Almiron should be taken with a 'pinch of salt'. The Paraguay international has surprisingly emerged as the standout star for the Magpies this season, netting eight goals so far.
Almiron collected the Premier League's Player of the Month and Goal of the Month awards for October, scoring six times including the sensational volley in the victory at Fulham. The former MLS star had previously struggled for end product during his time on Tyneside, but is now one of the first names on the teamsheet under Eddie Howe.
This drastic improvement has come just months after Grealish insulted Almiron in a video shared widely on social media. The Manchester City star mocked team-mate Riyad Mahrez for 'playing like Almiron' as Pep Guardiola's side celebrated a fourth Premier League title in five seasons.
READ MORE: Miguel Almiron breaks silence on Jack Grealish and reveals his real motivation with Newcastle United
Almiron himself has quelled any talk of a lingering feud with Grealish, although he did admit the response of Newcastle fans leaping to his defence was a source of 'pride'. Banners were unfurled in the St James' Park crowd at Grealish's expense during the recent win over Chelsea, but Given does not believe a 'massive deal' should be made out of what he describes as 'banter'.
He told BoyleSports Football Betting : "You know I take the Grealish comments with a pinch of salt. Jack had a few beers, so it's basically him celebrating winning the league.
"I know people are making a massive deal of it, but you need to separate it a bit. For me, that was just banter."
Newcastle's victory over Chelsea was their second success over a so-called 'Big Six' club this season. Eddie Howe's side will sit third at Chrismas, and Given feels the Magpies are starting to look the 'real deal'.
The former goalkeeper added: "Newcastle's an exciting thing at the minute, you know, with what's happened with them. There's a huge buzz in the city.
"It's just great to see where they are. You look at the table, and with the World Cup on for five or six weeks, the fans will be looking at the table every single day.
"There's a real buzz in the city. It's exciting. There's hope again. I joined Newcastle, and we finished second. That's the club I joined when I was 21, and now it looks like it may be too soon for a title challenge, but if they got a Champions League spot or European football, it would be unbelievable.
"They beat Spurs, hit the post twice at Old Trafford, lost to a Fergie-time winner to Liverpool, and comfortably beat Chelsea. This could be the real deal, and with no European football as the other clubs have, it could work in their favour."
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