Callum Wilson is set to return to Newcastle United for the first time since leaving the club to join West Ham United last summer.
Callum Wilson is hoping to fire West Ham United to Premier League safety after having a last-gasp goal cruelly ruled out by VAR against Arsenal last weekend.
The 34-year-old has scored six goals for the Hammers so far this season as the side sit 18th in the Premier League table with two games left to play.
Next up is Wilson’s former club Newcastle United on Sunday (5:30pm kick-off). The striker spent five seasons at Newcastle, scoring 49 goals in 130 appearances for the club.
Wilson was a well-respected player by head coach Eddie Howe and the Newcastle supporters for his service to the club.
Wilson also previously worked under Howe at AFC Bournemouth between 2014 and 2020, with the pair striking up a strong working relationship.
Premier League ask Callum Wilson awkward NUFC question
Earlier this season, the Premier League asked various players for their opinions on celebrating after scoring against a former club, to which Wilson gave an interesting response. Despite Newcastle facing Bournemouth six times in the Premier League while Wilson was a Magpies player, the striker missed all six due to injury.
But Wilson is set to make his return to St James’ Park with West Ham this weekend.
And he made a confident prediction looking ahead to the match.
“It’s respect, I wouldn’t do it [celebrate],” Wilson claimed. “And when I score at St James’ Park this year, I won’t celebrate.”
It’s easy enough for Wilson to say that ahead of the event. But given the emotions in football and what is riding on the game for West Ham, Wilson would do well not to celebrate if he did score a decisive goal in the match.
Newcastle were haunted by a former player in their previous match as Elliot Anderson scored an 88th minute equaliser to secure a 1-1 draw for Nottingham Forest. The two points dropped all but ended the Magpies’ European hopes.
Wilson previously made a confident celebration prediction linked to West Ham during his time at Newcastle, where he promised he would do the ‘Macarena’ at the London Stadium when he scored.
Lo and behold, the former Newcastle No. 9 found the net just six minutes into a 5-1 win in 2023 and proceeded to do the famous dance.
“I love scoring at that place [London Stadium] and I’ve promised to do the Macarena,” said Wilson ahead of the match.
“I want all the bubbles blowing on me while I’m doing it if I score there. But maybe I’ll have to do it from the bench – I’ll be warming up doing the Macarena!”
Dan Burn makes interesting NUFC admission that became reality
The same question about celebrating against a former club was put to Newcastle defender Dan Burn, who just so happens to have scored against two of his former clubs in Fulham and Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League – celebrating on each occasion.
Explaining his mindset, Burn said: “If you’re a striker who scores 20 goals a season then yeah, maybe [don’t celebrate] but if you’re a defender like me who gets maybe one or two a season, I’m celebrating, it doesn’t matter who it was.
“I would celebrate against Newcastle if I was playing for someone else. I’m just letting you know now.”
Burn’s last goal for Newcastle came against his former club Brighton in a 3-1 win last time out at St James’ Park. And of course he celebrated.