TERRY McDERMOTT said: "Ruud Gullit might have been a great player but I find it very sad that he could stoop so low to criticise someone who has been the greatest centre forward in England for the last 10 years.
"What type of man can make comments like this about the player who has been such a talisman for both Newcastle and England and only last week was named by Pele as one of the greatest ever English players?
"It would be laughable if it was not so pathetic and ludicrous.
"Gullit was well known for his arrogance in the short time he spent as manager of Newcastle United.
"He did not exactly cover himself in glory in the time he was manager. He left four and a half years ago, and why he should suddenly decide to come up with an attack like this I don't know. I wonder if he needs the money?
"Gullit said Alan Shearer was a rotten apple. Well, I'm still a big Newcastle fan and I wish we had 22 rotten apples like him - and I'm sure the rest of the United supporters think the same.
"Gianfranco Vialli is someone who worked closely with Gullit in their time together in Italy and Chelsea. And I would challenge Gullit to ask Vialli what he thinks about him.
"Alan Shearer has shown that he would walk through a brick wall every time he pulls on that black-and-white shirt.
"He is quite rightly acclaimed as one of our folk heroes and his goals make him the greatest goalscorer in the history of the Premiership.
"Ruud Gullit would find out just what the Newcastle United supporters think of him if he ever dared come back to Tyneside and he would find out that he would get the treatment he deserves.
"As far as Alan Shearer is concerned, the only thing Newcastle fans can complain about is the fact that he wears dodgy ties like the one he wore on television yesterday!"
Newcastle United chairman Freddy Shepherd added:
"I'll always defend Alan against any criticism. He has done a great job for us while he has been here.
"I refuse to let anyone knock him. His record speaks for itself.
"He can just let his record do the speaking.
"It didn't work out for Ruud when he was here.
"But if you were to ask Alan about some of his coaching methods, he'll say he was impressed."
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