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Bradford striker Andy Cook reacts to scoring against his boyhood club Newcastle

Bradford City striker Andy Cook reacts to scoring against his boyhood club Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup Third Round.

The Carabao Cup holders Newcastle brushed aside Bradford in a 4-1 third-round victory, William Osula and Joelinton both scored twice as Magpies eased past the League One leaders.

But Bradford’s boyhood Newcastle fan Andy Cook hit a cracking consolation goal, and speaking of it, he said: “It hit us like, I see a few them claiming handball but it just happened so fast and it just dropped perfectly for us and I thought, you know what, hit it, hit it and I’ll be honest, when it hit the bar, is it going in? And it went in and it bounced down and hit the roof and I was over the moon.”

Interviewer: “And just that emotion when you did see it go in, talk us through that.”

Cook: “Honestly, I was just buzzing, obviously sent for when I like to score goals. To get a goal at St James’ Park is unbelievable.”

Interviewer: “A little bit of a Shearer in the celebration?”

Cook with a slight smirk: “No, to be honest I just put my hand up towards Bradford fans obviously 3-1 down. was just happy to get a goal.”

Alexander said post-match, per Telegraph & Argus: “Everyone’s really buzzing for him because we know how special this club is to Cooky.

“He’s been a big player for this club for the last three or four years and everyone knows about his support for Newcastle.

“But he’s also got a massive bond with our club as well. So it was a special night for Cooky, just getting on the pitch. But that’s a goal he’ll be talking about for the next 50 years, I expect.

“I can’t think of many times in my career when I’ve smiled on the sidelines when I’ve been losing the game but that one gave me a smile in the end.

“And when I caught eyes with Cooky after his goal, you could see him beaming. It was a brilliant reward for him because he’s been through a tough period of his career.”

SEE MORE: Carabao Cup fourth Round draw in full

Ahead of the game, Bradford boss Graham Alexander said on Cook, per the Telegraph & Argus: “I haven’t noticed anything different in him. Cooky’s as mad as he always is, he’s loud and bubbly around the place.

“I haven’t seen a difference in his demeanour on the training pitch. He’s trained as well as he always does.

“He’s still recovering from the injury that he suffered in January but he’s going to be part of the squad.

“I know how much his support for Newcastle means. But the game is about two teams, not individuals, and I think Cooky is well aware of that as well.

“I don’t think he wants it to be about him. He wants to be part of a team that goes to his boyhood club.

“I remember playing against my boyhood club Coventry a few times and I really enjoyed it. It felt different because I grew up supporting that team and Cooky’s the same.

“But like everyone else, we’re all looking forward to the game and you have to put any personal things to the side.

“If he’s on the pitch, he’ll have to do his best for his teammates and that’s all I’d expect from any of our players.”

Alexander said he wasn’t bothered about any added pressure from Cook sat behind him:  “I’m used to that as a manager. It’s not just players that bore their eyeballs into the back of my head, sometimes fans as well.

“I’m in my own world when I’m out there on the touchline, thinking about how to win a game and stuff like that.

“If Cooky comes into my thoughts, we know he’s there to be called upon whether he starts the game or is on the bench.

“We have many good players and I’m never going to take personal ambitions into how I pick a team. It would be wrong of me and I’d be dismissing my responsibility to the club, the team and the supporters.

“My job is about the collective group being the best they can. “But I understand the emotional side of football and the emotional side of Cooky.

“He’s had a long career and there aren’t many opportunities you get to play in a game of this magnitude against your boyhood club.

“But if I went down that road, I’d be going down that road with different people every week and it’s not one that leads to any good.”

Andy Cook admitted to the Guardian he “screamed the house down” when the draw came through: “I screamed the house down when that draw came out.

“My missus was downstairs watching the draw and I was upstairs, and I think my TV must have been ahead of hers because she heard me screaming and sprinted upstairs to see if I was OK. When we both saw it was Newcastle away, we couldn’t believe it.”

Cook says of wanting to be a footballer: “Growing up locally, this was your dream.

“You always wanted to play at St James’ at some point. Did I think I’d get the chance with the way my career has gone? Probably not. You never think that when you’re playing as low down as I was. So to get the chance to do it, it genuinely is a dream come true.”

He dreamt of emulating Shearer, but now kids are wanting to be the next Cook: “You see all the young kids with your name on the shirt and sometimes I have to pinch myself and believe this is real,” he says.

“It’s a bit weird because I’m just a normal lad from the north-east. When I go back home I’m just plain old me, but here it’s really different. To play for Bradford City is an honour.”

He was asked if he is fortunate enough to score on Wednesday and potentially end his beloved club’s defence of the Carabao Cup, will he celebrate?

“Oh aye,” Cook says.

“I was having a laugh with my mates and I said if I was ever lucky enough to be on that pitch, I would come straight to the corner where our seats usually are and give it some.” Will he try to catch Shearer’s eye regardless? “Nah, his box is too high up!”

This was what Twitter users had to say after Bradford striker Andy Cook reacts to scoring against his boyhood club Newcastle…

@CarlitoNUFC: Geordie assist and a Geordie goal, couldn’t make it up, well done to the lads and let’s be honest, we’ve all dreamt about scoring at St James, typically in a B&W shirt, but it’s the next best thing

@KeznAl: Great goal, happy for him, but as a Geordie even I’m struggling to understand him 😂

@kentonmags: I think Andy has over celebrated with a disco biscuit or 2 🤣🤣

@niall143: Who cares about the loss. He got his goal at SJP 🥰

@mattnaylor1986: Really not bothered we got beat (as expected and deserved, Newcastle were very good) just glad he managed to get to play and get a goal here, made it worth it #bcafc

@cjpoot: He is the “Alan Shearer” of Bradford City. Never lets us down and always turns up with the goods when you need him. #bcafc

@__Lords: I’m a 42 year old, born & bread Geordie & even I can barely understand a word out of this kids mouth 😮‍💨

@LREM93: Has he had 10 pints in the dressing room?

@declanholmes97: The main thing I love about Andy is the way he goes through every detail with every thing he says 🤣 #bcafc

@whereskay: Think he’s still in shock here

@Yorkshire_lass3: I absolutely love him so much 😍😍😍⚽🐔♥️💛 #bcafc

@ToontalkRob: It’s why this game is called beautful, for moments like that. I’m genuinely glad we didn’t keep a clean sheet. Well struck, Andy.

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