Nile Ranger has admitted that he "messed up" his chance of having a successful career at Newcastle United.
The 23-year-old, who is attempting to revive his career with Championship side Blackpool, was released by the Magpies in 2013 following a series of off-field problems.
Ranger believes that his fall from grace at St James' Park was caused by failing to heed the advice of his teammates.
"Newcastle was good for me, they gave me a big chance in football and that's where I made my name really," he told the Blackpool Gazette.
"I messed that chance up. Everyone makes mistakes, I was young and earning a lot of money there and I started to do stupid things. Demba Ba, Mark Viduka and Michael Owen were all at Newcastle when I was there and it was incredible to play alongside them.
"Michael Owen used to pull me aside and talk to me, he's a top bloke. He'd try and get me to focus and things, but I thought I had it all back then."
Ranger played for Swindon Town before joining Blackpool.
Steven Toplis
