Why Alan Hutton is unsurprised to see Newcastle players throwing support behind Steve Bruce

Hutton has played under Bruce for two clubs during his career and 'loved' his time working under the Newcastle boss

Former Aston Villa defender Alan Hutton was not surprised to read reports of Newcastle players throwing their support behind manager Steve Bruce.

With Newcastle's prospective new owners awaiting the green light for their takeover from the Premier League, speculation over Steve Bruce's future as Magpies boss continues to persist.

It is understood there are no imminent plans to change manager at St James' Park and Bruce would be given until at least the end of the season to prove his worth at St James' Park.

Nonetheless, the likes of Mauricio Pochettino and Rafa Benitez have been linked with the St James' Park hotseat in recent weeks but reports suggest Newcastle's current squad are fully behind Bruce remaining as the club's manager.

And Hutton, who played under Bruce at Sunderland and Aston Villa, was not shocked to hear his former manager is popular in the Newcastle dressing room.

He told Football Insider: “I just see him as a father figure, he’s always there for you – he tells you from day one: ‘My door is always open, I’ll never hide anything from you, I’ll tell you the truth if that’s what you want.’

“You can go see him any time you want, you can phone him, I’m talking about he’s that sort of guy. He reminds of Walter Smith and those type of people, he really looks after his staff and he protects you also.

“There’s been numerous times where there’s been stuff happening in the changing room or arguments or whatever and he’ll always protect you in the press no matter what. He’s such a good guy and it doesn’t surprise me the players there have really taken to him.

“Everyone at Aston Villa loved him, when I was at Sunderland all the boys loved him so it’s not just a one-off thing, that’s just the guy that he is, a top, top guy.”