London: The baton and the shirt have been passed. The final seal of approval or Andy Carroll to inherit the tag of local hero as well as Newcastle's No 9 shirt came from the last icon of the Toon Army.
Alan Shearer wore a smile as wide as any Geordie fan as Carroll slotted in his third and Newcastle's last goal in the 6-0 rout of Aston Villa on Sunday and it wasn't just because an ambitious bet had come in.
The former England captain carried a £15 million (Dh85.5 million) transfer fee around his shoulders when he moved home to become world No 9 in 1996, yet Shearer was a polished player in his prime and with a league title to his name.
Carroll has no monetary burden, but is still learning his trade. A season in the Championship aided an apprenticeship that he will try to finish in the Barclays Premier League.
He has the talent, even if the nous and temperament have yet to be proved.
In a mutual show of admiration for the 21-year-old who used to have the Toon legend's poster on his bedroom wall, Shearer believes Carroll has earned the right to wear the jersey.
Shearer, 40, said: "I was delighted that Andy had, if you like, the guts to take the No 9 shirt because we know that players over the years have shied away from it. It is a big responsibility because it is a huge shirt.
The former England captain continued: "There have been some big, big names that have worn the shirt and some great players at that.
"I'm not talking about myself. I'm talking about the Jackie Milburns, the Malcolm Macdonalds and the Les Ferdinands, players like that. Andy has got a chance now. He is confident and he wants to be given that chance so good luck to him."
