Viduka grateful for Kinnear stability

1st December 2008

Newcastle striker Mark Viduka is backing Joe Kinnear to drag the club away from trouble after the uncertainty over his short-term future finally came to a close.

The 61-year-old was appointed Magpies boss until the end of the season on Friday, and celebrated the fact with a derby draw at Middlesbrough 24 hours later.

A point at the Riverside Stadium eased the crisis-torn Tyneside club out of the Barclays Premier League's relegation zone, and a second successive 0-0 draw away from St James' Park left Kinnear's men hoping a significant corner has been turned.

Viduka, 33, came off the bench for his first appearance of the season and almost snatched victory against his former club at the death. He is convinced the new-found stability Kinnear's elevation from interim boss at St James' will prove vital in the weeks and months ahead.

He said: "Definitely. It's a great thing for all people concerned with the football side of the club because we know what is going on.

"Up until Friday, anybody could have been in in any amount of time. It's a great thing for us, a bit of stability. Joe is a nice guy. To be honest, I have just started to get to know him and hopefully he can push us forward."