NEWCASTLE United boss Bobby Robson has issued a hands-off warning to Rangers over goalkeeper Steve Harper.

The Ibrox club are tracking 27-year-old Harper, who signed a new four-year contract last summer but has been forced to understudy Shay Given virtually all season.

Harper has made only three appearances in the Worthington Cup, but Robson yesterday gave the Easington-born keeper a huge shot in the arm, labelling him a "model pro'' and "vital'' to next season's Champions' League campaign.

Republic of Ireland international Given has enjoyed the best season of his career with both club and country and will soon be World Cup bound.

Robson said: "Shay has been outstanding, but the other outstanding character has been Steve Harper.

"He could play in our first team and regularly for any top club.

"But he's kept his mouth shut and been supportive of Shay every day in training. It's hard for Steve not playing, but he's been a terrific, model pro.

"Next season, Steve will become even more important to us because we are in Europe and having two top-class keepers is vital.

"There could be a lot of games to play and I may need to rotate the squad at times. That means I need two top-quality keepers and I'm delighted I have them in Shay and Steve. I think they're the best pair in the country.''

Robson admitted that had he not been forced to use three outfield substitutes in Saturday's final home game against West Ham, he would have brought Harper on for Given late on in the 3-1 victory.

"If I hadn't had to make changes, I would have had Steve on for the last 15 minutes or so,'' said Robson, who withdrew an unwell Andy O'Brien at half-time, and Kieron Dyer and Lomana LuaLua in the closing stages because of niggling groin injuries.

All three players are in their early 20s and crucial to United's long-term plans.

Robson is hoping to see every one of his fledgling stars fulfil their potential and even though he will be 70 next February, the former England boss shows no signs of winding down towards retirement.

United can expect Robson, who is on a 12-month rolling contract, to remain in charge for at least one more season.

But he won't let go easily and could stay at the helm even longer.

"We can improve the squad by buying some players this summer and we can improve again because we've got some younger players here who will get better,'' said Robson.

"The only thing that bothers me is that one day, some lucky so-and-so is going to have all this!''

"I'm not thinking about the day I'll go but, as my wife says, I will need some time to smell the roses.''

* Leeds have stepped up their interest in Newcastle target Brett Emerton.

Elland Road boss David O'Leary watched the Australian midfielder in Feyenoord's 3-2 win over Heerenveen on Sunday.

The Magpies have baulked at Feyenoord's £12m asking price for Emerton, who is also attracting the attention of Liverpool.

* Former Newcastle striker Stephane Guivarc'h has called time on his playing career after failing to recover from recurrent knee injuries. The 31-year-old, who won a World Cup medal with France in 1998, has hardly played this season due to a long-term problem with his right knee.

After undergoing an operation last August, Guivarc'h returned to action in the autumn, scoring once in 11 matches, but in January he picked up a cruciate knee ligament injury and has been sidelined since.

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