Steve Bruce has hailed Allan Saint-Maximin as one of the greatest talents he has ever worked with - even if the 'maverick' certainly kept the former Newcastle United head coach on his toes.
It was Bruce who signed off on a £16.5m move for Saint-Maximin just a few weeks after taking charge of Newcastle in 2019.
While Saint-Maximin picked up his fair share of fines during their time together - for everything from wearing earrings at the training ground to occasionally being late for team meetings - the Frenchman struck up a close bond with Bruce.
Go here for all the latest Newcastle United news
As well as enjoying the freedom Bruce afforded him on the field, Saint-Maximin never forgot Bruce's support off it with his own family.
Saint-Maximin went on to describe Bruce as 'one of the most gentle people' he had ever met in football after his departure last October and the forward left his mark on the 61-year-old, too.
"What a talent this kid is and you have to draw it out because he's a little bit different," Bruce told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"But, of all the players I've had and played with, this kid here...I always said he was going to be a crowd favourite. You would absolutely pay your money to go and watch him.
"However, he needs managing because with all that flair he's got, I've called him a maverick. That might be the wrong word and a bit disrespectful to him, but he loves the game in his own way.
"You ask him any result in Europe over the weekend, he would come out with it and come out with the team even."
Saint-Maximin has been directly involved in nearly a third of Newcastle's goals this season and the Frenchman's strikes against Southampton, Leeds, Brentford, Manchester United and Watford helped the Magpies claim five valuable points.
Saint-Maximin missed the draw against West Ham last week with a calf injury and it remains to be seen if the mercurial forward will be available for Saturday's huge game at Brentford.
We want to hear your thoughts, so LOG IN and leave your comment below.
