Miguel Almiron is adamant there is no bad blood between him and Jack Grealish.
England ace Grealish aimed an unprovoked jibe at Almiron during Manchester City’s title celebrations in May when he claimed teammate Riyad Mahrez had ‘played like Almiron’ during City’s final game of the season against Aston Villa.
Quizzed on the incident, Almiron gave a classy response befitting his incredible run of form at present and praised the support he received from Newcastle fans who backed their star man.
“All that incident did really was highlight that when that type of thing happens here, it shows the greatness of the Newcastle supporters,” Almiron told .
“I actually did not pay too much attention to the comments at first I will be honest because I prefer to just get on with my job and do my work in silence.
“I just get on with my work and the only thing that matters to me is to improve myself.
“When you achieve things in life it only comes through hard work and sacrifice anyway, especially in football, it’s never through words.
“At the time when the [Grealish] stuff all came up, I was then filled with happiness and pride with the way the Newcastle supporters rallied around me.
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“They showed their support at that point and it was really important.”
Almiron has been in scintillating form this season, netting eight goals in 14 league games to equal his season-best tally for the club.
His purple patch is in stark contrast to that of Grealish who is still getting to grips with life at the Etihad Stadium, despite signs of improvement in recent weeks.
But for Almiron, the episode is now water under the bridge and revealed he would have no problem in offering a welcome gesture to the £100 million man.
He added: “Would I shake his hand the next time we line up to play Man City? Yes, yes, I would.
“Of course, I’d shake hands with him, whenever we play against Man City without a shadow of a doubt.
“Like I have said and as I keep on insisting to people Jack Grealish is a great player and I just wish him all the best.
“Throughout my career and for as long as I have played football, as long as I remember I have never really paid attention to what people say to me off the field. You just get on with your own job and that’s it.”
Whilst fans and even his teammates believe the comment has lit a fire within him this season, the Paraguayan instead attributed his upturn in form to being happy at home with his partner Alexia and 17-month old son Francesco as well as the support of boss Eddie Howe, who he believes has taken things ‘a new level’ at St. James’ Park.
“For a footballer, it is always really good when you are settled at home.
“It’s great because you perform well and your performances are everything. Footballers who perform well on the field always tend to be happy in their life off the field.
“I am fortunate in the sense that I have my partner who has been with me a long time. She is always there for me and accompanies me all the time.”
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