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Oliver Jones

'No big deal' - Miguel Almiron's perfect response to Jack Grealish Newcastle supporters will love

Newcastle United midfielder Miguel Almiron has said he wasn't bothered by the video of Jack Grealish drunkenly mocking him during Manchester City's title-winning bus parade last season.

The Paraguayan has been on top form so far this season, scoring seven goals in his last eight before the beginning of the winter break, but had previously struggled to find the net with the Magpies.

Grealish had been celebrating after City's sixth Premier League title before a video clip of him telling teammate Bernardo Silva that Riyad Mahrez deserved to be substituted off in their final game of the season against Aston Villa because he was 'playing like Almiron'.

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"I didn’t pay a lot of attention, I was on holiday with my family," Almiron admitted to the Daily Mail. "And I didn’t have a mobile phone signal! So no, I didn’t watch the video. I wasn’t bothered."

After the England international's feet were metaphorically held to the fire, he recently came out and did an interview during the World Cup in which he apologised for the remarks, and said he'd pay the Magpies star more respect in the future.

Almiron is the current Premier League Player of the Month and Goal of the Month holder after his incredible form for Newcastle so far this season which has seen him double Grealish's tally of four goals in 18 months with City in just 12 matches this season.

But statistics like that are things that people like Almiron don't pay attention to - he lets his feet do the talking on the pitch instead of trash-talking an opponent.

"I’m not interested in that. Jack’s a great player and I will always wish him all the best. He’s at Manchester City for good reason. I just avoid making any comparisons. It’s about me focusing on what I do. It’s no big deal.

"I saw the interview and heard that he spoke positively about me. I’ve never had anything against Jack and have maintained all along that I think he’s a great player and a good guy.

"There’s never been any issue for me. It was a nice interview and the fact he spoke the way he did, that reinforces the type of person he is."

As their top goalscorer this season, fans will be backing Almiron to continue his fantastic form through the break and straight into their Boxing Day bout against Leicester City, as Eddie Howe and co try to close the gap to league leaders Arsenal - a side they play in just two weeks time.

If there was anyone to do that though, it would be Almiron. After all, he took what would've been a good draw away from Frank Lampard's Everton and also scored what turned out to be the difference between the Magpies and Antonio Conte's Tottenham Hotspur back in October.

But when finally asked what he'd do if Grealish was stood in front of him, it was a simple response for someone with the 28-year-old's nature.

"I would shake his hand, no problem."

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