Martin Dubravka wanted to ‘smash’ Matt Ritchie after he yelled at him two weeks into his Newcastle United career – but the goalkeeper admits he ‘really likes’ having his vocal team-mate at the club. Whether it is a training game or a competitive match, Ritchie is constantly pushing his team-mates and barking instructions at them – which will be all the more apparent when football resumes behind closed doors next week.
Martin Dubravka said “He’s something special let’s say – he’s crazy, But I’m glad we have him in the dressing room. You can see that he gives everything – he’s 100 per cent – and he hates to lose as well. I’m the same when I lose. I hate the feeling. But, when he’s on the pitch, sometimes he’s so rude as well. I can remember a situation two weeks after I came to Newcastle. We played a three against three, a little small-sided game, and then he started to yell at me. I just wanted to catch him and smash him! But I like him, I really like him.”