Newcastle United striker Papiss Cisse is hoping to follow in Alan Shearer's footsteps and fire his team into the Champions League.
The Senegal striker described wearing the number nine shirt once donned by the England ace as a "monumental honour", and vowed to try to live up to his forbear.
"I know the number nine shirt is a huge thing in Newcastle - a monumental honour for me. Alan Shearer has set the bar very high and I must try to follow the path that he's set," The Sun quotes Cisse as saying.
"I need to be aware of the past and what the shirt means. I'm doing all I can to be worthy. Alan Shearer is the example I have to try and follow.
"I'm not trying to prove I am as good as him - but to live up to what the shirt means. The only way I can do that is by scoring goals and playing well and so far it's gone better than I imagined."
Cisse went on to say that that Champions League football with Newcastle would be a "fantastic" prospect, but insisted that he is keeping his feet on the ground.
"Everyone is trying to stay calm. But of course it would be fantastic for this club to be in the Champions League," he added.
"We don't really want to talk about it as we must take it match by match but of course it's difficult not to think about it. We are now so close. It is within touching distance and yet still there are five games to go, which is a long way."
Newcastle defeated Bolton Wanderers 2-0 on Sunday with Cisse on the scoresheet.
Mark Langshaw
