PETER RAMAGE'S versatility may have arrived as a shock to most Newcastle United supporters, but that has been one of his strengths from the first moment he pulled on a black and white shirt, writes Paul Fraser.

And the centre-back, who has played on both flanks as a full-back since making his first appearance of the campaign in October, has claimed he is ready to fill in for Alan Shearer when he retires in the summer.

In jest the gesture may have been, but at further examination it is not as outrageous as first appears. He started out as a prolific centre-forward, making a name for himself in junior football with Berwick Rangers.

"I scored 60 odd goals for Berwick and I held the record - I don't know if it still stands. I was a goal poacher who just stood around the box and didn't pass. The scouts spotted me playing up front," said Ramage, yet to score in any of his 14 professional appearances as a defender for the Magpies.

"There's a certain No 9 retiring in the summer and I'd be happy to take that shirt on, although the older I get, and the more experienced, I would like to play centre-back again.

"I remember playing my first trial game, it was supposed to have been as a striker, and John Carver (former youth team coach) asked whether anyone fancied playing centre-back. I stuck my hand up. I must have played well because I have stayed there ever since."

But Ramage, appearing older than his 18 years suggest, is keen to outline he does not want to be known as the club's new Mr Versatile, following in the footsteps of the departed Aaron Hughes, in years to come.

Hughes was always praised for his adaptability, yet his changing roles stopped him from becoming one of the Premiership's outstanding performers in one position.

And now Ramage, happy just to be playing in Souness' starting line-up, knows to make a bigger name for himself he will have to make one role his own.

"I would like to play centre-back again," said Ramage, who moved to North Tyneside when he was 12 from Berwick. "But I'm enjoying playing right-back. I'm still nowhere near the ideal player but hopefully I will improve as the years go by.

"It's a string to your bow when you are versatile, but it can also be negative because if you look at Aaron he never had a settled position. As long as I'm playing at the moment I'm happy to play anywhere.

"The Newcastle public want to see the local lads come in and play well. It's tough coming through and they want to see the local, young lad doing that bit more than the rest. They need to see the desire. Hopefully, I have done that."

Ramage was awarded a three-year deal in the summer, but that only arrived on his doorstep when it looked likely he was going to leave for pastures new.

"I didn't know where I stood, but I was reassured by the manager that I was part of the first team," said Ramage, who discussed his future with his father Iain, a leading international rugby official, before deciding.

"I didn't want to spend another couple of years in the reserves. But once I spoke to the manager there wasn't really a decision to make," he said. "I can't stress how important it was for me to play in the Newcastle first team. It's a dream."

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