Ian Rush has opened up on his 'great time' at Newcastle United.
The former Wales international forward is best known for his time with Liverpool, for whom he is their record goalscorer, as well as Juventus, but spent one season with the Magpies towards the end of his career.
Rush was signed by his former Liverpool team-mate and manager Sir Kenny Dalglish, who was in the Newcastle dugout at the time and he was part of a side that played in the Champions League and reached the FA Cup final.
Fellow veterans John Barnes and Stuart Pearce also made the move to St James' Park that summer and the trio were dubbed 'Dad's Army'.
"The reason I signed for Newcastle was for cover," Rush told the Robbie Fowler podcast.
"I just wanted to get out of Leeds United because of the way I was being treated and Alan Shearer had a bad injury in pre-season against Everton.
"Kenny wanted me to sign as cover because they were playing in the Champions League and my experience.
"I went up to Newcastle and signed for a year. It was amazing because John Barnes and Stuart Pearce were there and it was like Dad's Army!
"Kenny was brilliant and he knew how to get the best out of the experienced lads."
Rush's brief stint on Tyneside yielded just two goals in 13 appearances but one of those strikes proved to be of vital importance, both on a personal level, as well as to Newcastle.
The 59-year-old bagged the winner against Everton in a 1-0 win at Goodison Park that helped the Magpies on their way to the 1998 FA Cup final.
"That goal against Everton in the FA Cup, I will never forget it," Rush added.
"It was on a Sunday and on the Saturday Liverpool were beaten by Coventry in the FA Cup.
"The next day I was on the bench and Kenny told me to go and get warmed up. I got absolutely hammered by the Everton supporters. They were caning me.
"I loved it and I wanted to get on even more. They brought off with Asprilla because it was a bit too cold for Tino that day.
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"I knew I was going to score. Sometimes you know you were going to score and I managed to score a tap in and we beat them 1-0.
"That was something very special at Newcastle."
Rush also revealed how much he enjoyed playing for the Newcastle fans and explained why his one appearance in the Champions League that term meant a lot to him.
"I had a great time at Newcastle," Rush was keen to stress.
"On my debut against Aston Villa, I played OK and Kenny took me off with 10 minutes to go. I got a standing ovation.
"They are like Liverpool fans. As long as you are giving 100%, that is all they want.
"They are passionate about football and if you aren't giving 100%, they will have a go at you like everyone would.
"I really did [enjoy it at Newcastle].
"I actually played in the Champions League with Newcastle. People say I played with Liverpool in the European Cup but I actually played in the Champions League against PSV Eindhoven.
"People say football only started in 1992 when the Premier League came but I am proud to say I played in the Champions league and it was with Newcastle.
"I am happy with that."
