ROBBIE Elliot has called on the Newcastle United hierarchy to retire the club's famous no 9 shirt.

Although it would be a fitting tribute to Alan Shearer's ten-year goalscoring exploits at St James' Park, this isn't the sole reason Elliott believes the legendary jersey should be left in the United changing room for posterity.

The 32-year-old defender reckons the expectation on the next striker to wear the famous black and white shirt would carry an enormous burden and subject him to unprecedented pressure.

"I feel sorry for the person who comes in and wears the number nine shirt to be honest," said Elliott, who played for the best part of ten years alongside his prolific skipper.

"I think they'd be just as well retiring it. I think it would be fully justified and nobody could have any qualms about it."

With Shearer retiring the reality is that Newcastle now have to replace the irreplaceable before the curtain opens on the club's next Premier League campaign.

Finding a striker to fill the void left by United's prolific goalscorer will be a hard enough task in itself, but Elliott believes it will be even more difficult to find someone with such a commanding presence around St James' Park.

"We know Michael (Owen) is a proven goalscorer and he's lethal," said the United defender, "but he's in a completely different mould to Alan. Al was a one-off.

"If we can get a forward to go with Michael and get the best out of him he'll be able to step into the breach.

"It's a big task to follow Alan whatever you say.

"He's inspirational on and off the pitch. You just need to look at the reception he got (at his testimonial). He's a born leader.

"You just have to look at his face in the dressing room to know what it means. You see the opposition in the tunnel and as soon as they see Shearer there it's a step backwards.

"It's something we've been lucky to have on our side. I played against him when he was at Blackburn and it's not nice when you see him in the tunnel.

"We're obviously going to miss that."

Elliott played a part in the emotional testimonial scenes at St James' Park on Thursday evening against Celtic and he admitted it was an 'honour' to take part in such a memorable occasion

"It was something you know you'll look back on for the rest of your life as a special night," reflected Elliott. "It will never happen again and to be part of it was fantastic.

"It's been an honour for the last ten years to play alongside him. I had a spell away (at Bolton Wanderers) but to be playing with players of that calibre is what you dream of.

"I've played with some good players in my time but Alan's that little bit special. He's the number nine and the local hero.

"He's been what you would class as a normal bloke, which speaks volumes. He mucks in with the rest of the lads and for someone on his level it's an incredible thing to say that.

"Alan said it hadn't sunk in with him but it's the same with the players.

"It was a very special (testimonial) night and one that will live with us for ever. It doesn't bear thinking about when he's not there and it's going to be strange.

"If you talk to all the managers nowadays, even the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson says when he looks at centre-forwards he asks, 'is he like Alan Shearer?'

"I think it's going to be a long old search to find the next one and. I don't think football will ever see the like of him again."

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