Kluivert Snubs Country - He has 12 Games to Earn Geordie Nationality

The future is not orange

The former Barcelona man remains Holland’s all time top goalscorer with 40 strikes in 79 appearances. Indeed, Kluivert was top scorer in Euro 2000.

Four years on from that however and the player who scored a Champions League Final winner aged just 18 was the only outfield member of the Dutch squad not to be used in the European Championships in Portugal. He has not figured since.

Speaking to The Journal Kluivert said,

"All I care about is Newcastle United and doing well for Newcastle. I want to stay at Newcastle. I am desperate to stay here because I am enjoying my football and I'm very happy, on and off the pitch.”

He went onto speak of his love for the FA Cup whilst reiterating his desire to remain at St.James Park beyond the summer.

Kluivert has, when fit and in the mood, shown glimpses of the talent he quite often demonstrated on the world stage during his Barcelona days.

He has netted 11 times in 22 starts, maintaining a goals to games ratio that is the benchmark for all top strikers.

It is the fitness problems surrounding Kluivert that pose a bigger threat to him being released come June. He has a minimum of 12 games to prove his worth and secure the contract extension that he longs for.

Having scored the only goal of our last two FA Cup ties, if the Dutchman were to repeat this trick in the next two rounds then the only question would be how long a contract to give the new Geordie hero.