NEWCASTLE'S Laurent Robert landed himself back in Sir Bobby Robson's bad books last night after a petulant reaction to being hauled off in the 3-0 UEFA Cup victory in Mallorca.

The French winger, who Robson says has given him more trouble than any other player in over 35 years in management, was replaced by Hugo Viana in the 66th minute.

An unhappy Robert refused to shake Robson's hand when he came off and they appeared to exchange heated words in the dug-out.

Robson said: "He didn't like being taken off and I didn't like his performance - that's why I took him off.

"If he doesn't like it, he can lump it. I put people on and I take people off and that's my job.''

Robson preferred to look forward to a quarter-final clash with his old club PSV Eindhoven in Holland in 13 days' time.

He said: "It's quite ironic how football throws up these equations.

"I spent three happy years there, they are a wonderful club with wonderful people and I'm very pleased to be going back. I have fond memories and I just hope we can knock them out.''

Striker Craig Bellamy, who was involved in a fracas with first-team coach John Carver before the squad flew out to Mallorca, came on as a late substitute to grab Newcastle's second goal last night and Robson quipped: "Craig's had a great two days!

"His goal came on the counter after they pushed too many men up. Craig was the fastest man on the pitch so he was able to stay ahead of the last defender and chip the keeper, and we were safe and sound.''

Skipper Alan Shearer struck twice, opening the scoring just after half-time after goalkeeper Miki Garro made a hash of a clearance.

Robson said: "Alan took advantage of a present - I think he thought it was Christmas Day!''

But Robson wasn't impressed with his side's first-half display, saying: "I thought we showed grit in the second half after playing the first half like a practice match.

"We nearly let them into it, but once we scored it was much easier. It was difficult for the Mallorca players to produce some enthusiam because there was no atmosphere in the stadium, apart from that from our fans.

"Shay Given made some important saves again. We have an outstanding, first-class keeper, but he was asked to do a bit more work than I would have liked because we were a bit lackadaisical.''

Meanwhile, chairman Freddy Shepherd yesterday finally confirmed that 71-year-old Robson has signed a new contract which runs until the end of next season.

The deal replaces the one-year rolling contract that Robson had been operating on since he took charge in September 1999.

Shepherd said: "Bobby has signed a new one-year contract. He's got one more season to go after this, which I think he is happy with and we're happy with, so he's here until the summer of 2005.''

Shepherd wouldn't be drawn on whether Robson could stay beyond then, but added: "Knowing Bobby, I wouldn't be surprised by anything that happens - he's a one-off.''

l Celtic goalkeeper David Marshall revealed he was ''just pleased to help the team'' after his Nou Camp heroics, writes JON WEST.

The 19-year-old, who has only played a handful of games for the first team, pulled off a series of magnificent saves to dump Barcelona out of the UEFA Cup.

But the teenager played down his role in the team after replacing the suspended Rob Douglas.

Marshall said: ''We just thought if we got a goal, we would have a chance but to keep a clean sheet in the Nou Camp was unbelievable.

''I have got plenty of nerves, don't worry about it. In the first half, they were saves I expected to make but I made a good one in the second period. I was just pleased to help the team.

''It was a long day in the hotel today, especially when you know you are starting. But you have just got to deal with it.''

Manager Martin O'Neill paid tribute to all of his young players after an ''enormous experience'' in the Nou Camp.

He said: ''That was terrific. We were driven back all night and they had plenty of possession.

''It is too easy to say some players came of age but I have just said to Marshall that he may as well retire after this.

''John Kennedy and Stephen Pearson too, it augurs well for Scottish football.

''This was an enormous experience for them. Marshall was terrific. We said before the game that he may want to get an early touch but we didn't expect it after four-and-a-half seconds.

''From that moment on, he never looked back. He was terrific but so were the whole side.''

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