That was, as 18 year-old debutant Tim Krul himself would say - an unbelievable performance man. Talk about being thrown in at the deep-end! How good was Krul on his full debut for Newcastle United!? Old timers remember Micky Quinn’s debut, Supermac’s and others, well we’ll all remember Krul’s debut, that’s for sure.

After a nervous start where he sliced a few kicks and flapped about the youngster from Holland had an absolutely fantastic game pulling off at least 4 top-class saves to earn man of the match and generally he looks like a top-class prospect. We are well blessed in that area, aren’t we.

I’m not one to knee-jerk (Ed: aye right!) but I will go on record on these very pages and say that Tim Krul will one day be one of the best goalkeepers in Europe and I’ve thought that pretty much since I first clapped eyes on him following very positive comments about the stopper from the N.O reserve and academy regulars.

Quite a bold statement I know but one thing that strikes me about Krul is his quick feet. ‘Keepers earn their living using their hands but the top top ‘keepers earn theirs from using both their hands and their feet and Krul, as we saw last night, is very good with both.

Peter Schmeichel, for me the best ‘keeper ever, was once asked what makes a good goalie and he put it down to quick feet - essential for any ‘keeper he said. I agree.

Spurs’ and England’s Paul Robinson is a fine shotstopper but what stops him from being a top-class goalie? He’s like glue on his line, slow to move, slow to get down and slow to come out. He doesn’t have quick feet. Pelt a shot at him and he’ll save it but if he can’t hold it you’re in with a chance.

Krul has quick feet and despite his lack of height our own Shay Given - who has carved out a reputation as one of the best in Europe - also has quick feet. Sadly for Harper, he doesn’t - although like Robinson he’s still a very good shotstopper.

I went to the open training day with the bairns back in the summer and Krul made 3 outstanding reflex saves in quick succession, blocking then getting up quick to block again before getting up again to block, all from close range shooting practice. A series of saves that drew huge applause from the crowd behind him at the Gallowgate and pats on the back from team-mates.

I know a thing or two about ‘keepers myself because my brother and brother-in-law both play in that position and we regularly put on our own shooting practice sessions and while the brother-in-law is a fat git, he can’t be beaten because he’s got exceptionally quick feet. He must be at least 16 stones and he’s tall as well, but he bounces back up and moves across that line rapidly.

The great Neville Southall - to look at him you’d think he was a lorry driver and not a professional athlete - was a world-class goalie and famed for his lightning reflexes and use of his legs in saving shots.

All the great ‘keepers have that in common and Krul for me has been blessed with quick feet which will enable him to stand out among his peers in time.

People may point to his slim build but his fellow countryman Edwin van der Sar is of the same stature and he too is exceptionally quick footed and famed for his use of legs in his shotstopping repertoire.

Shay was once deemed too small to be a ‘keeper but he was always going to make it with feet like that.

And so will Krul.

Well done on an “unbelievable” debut, man!

PS Maybe this is a sign of our striker crisis but my two nephews both want to be ‘keepers now and our trio of goalies are firm faves in their household, replacing the Shearer’s and Owen’s. Who knows maybe the No1 shirt will be as coveted as the No9 in years to come…