Danny Simpson has paid tribute to the late former Newcastle United midfielder Cheick Tiote. The Ivorian tragically passed away after suffering a cardiac arrest while training in Beijing at the age of 30 in June 2017.
Tiote joined Newcastle from FC Twente in January 2011 and amassed 156 appearances during his six years at St James' Park.
He also represented Ivory Coast at two World Cups and four Africa Cup of Nations - winning the latter in 2015. He earned 55 caps for his country in total and scored his only goal for Newcastle in their famous 4-4 draw against Arsenal.
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The Magpies had trailed 4-0 at half-time but produced one of the most sensational comebacks in Premier League history, which was completed by Tiote's memorable 87th minute volley.
Simpson has recalled Tiote's iconic equalising goal and his memories of the former Newcastle star.
“Of all the people it had to Cheick. Look, we were all buzzing because it got to 4-4 but also because it was him," Simpson told true-faith.co.uk. "We loved him. He was unbelievable for us in the middle of that park. Cheick was the destroyer, he won the ball back a bit like Kante. What a human being he was. He was always smiling. Even now, the memory. He’d come in - Simmo’… and be happy, energetic."
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