STEVE BRUCE says questions over Saudi Arabia’s human rights record should be directed to politicians – and has described last week’s takeover as “a great thing” for Newcastle United as a football club and Newcastle as a city.

Mike Ashley’s departure was confirmed at the end of last week, with a new consortium comprised of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), Amanda Staveley and the Reuben brothers assuming control of the club.

The Saudi PIF now owns 80 per cent of the Magpies, a situation that has led to sustained criticism because of the Saudi state’s dreadful record on human rights.

Earlier today, Amnesty International released a statement criticising the Premier League’s decision to allow the takeover to happen, but Bruce claims it is wrong to expect football clubs or football supporters to be part of that discussion.

“I’m sure people will look into that – that’s for politicians and all the rest of it to decide on that,” said the Newcastle boss. “It’s a great thing for the club of Newcastle, and for the city too.

“I’ve seen the transformation of Manchester (since Manchester City was taken over by a group from Abu Dhabi), and not just for the football club, but also for the city too. I hope for the area, the people and the supporters that it’s exciting times ahead. They’ve been given this opportunity.”

Bruce held a ten-minute discussion with Staveley and her husband, Mehrdad Godoussi, on Monday, and while their chat remained relatively informal, the boyhood Newcastle fan heard enough to make him excited about the future.

He does, however, accept the need to be patient, admitting it will be impossible to transform Newcastle’s fortunes overnight.

“I think we’re all going to have to be patient,” he said. “It’s not going to just happen and transform overnight. These things take time, but I think what we’re all excited about is to now have the opportunity to go and mix with the best in the Premier League, which we haven’t been doing for a number of years now.

“To go and propel yourself amongst the elite of the Premier League is the thing that we all look forward to. Even me, as a supporter, I look forward to everything that’s going to happen over the next few years.”