Scotland Under-19 international Johnny Emerson has stepped up to excel in the second string after a surplus of players headed away on loan
Newcastle United aren’t exactly blossoming with senior wingers right now, but one adolescent that is in and around the first-team picture is a teenager the club scouted north of the border.
Newcastle’s scouting network identified Carlisle-born Johnny Emerson in Scotland, where he played for Queen of the South and Annan Athletic before receiving a youth contract. Since then, Emerson has signed a professional contract and made his first team debut in preseason under Eddie Howe.
Howe tested the winger, who can play on either left or right, against SpVgg Unterhaching early in the summer and then against Hull City in the UK. This season, he has continued to draw attention in front of a watchful Howe at second-string games, making 12 appearances, scoring twice and assisting once.
After a clutch of reserves headed out on loan in January, Emerson is aiming to stake his claim and said this week: “People like me and some of the older lads will need to step up and keep the group together which is big when the team is changing a lot and making sure we have all the same values and attitude heading into each game. The morale is high, training has been good everyday and everybody’s attitude has been top each day.”
Emerson was acquired prior to the takeover in 2019 and has spent his entire life in the Academy. The winger, who competed in the UEFA Youth League last season, stated earlier this season: “Being at the academy since 2019, and first coming on trial, I think it was quite different from starting at a boys club in Carlisle called Northbank to then moving to Scotland to play for Annan and Queen of the South and then coming to Newcastle, having my parents drive me an hour four to five times a week from Brampton.” I think it’s all helped me to be the athlete and person I am today.”
Howe remarked on Saturday night, after naming Sean Neave to the bench for the FA Cup encounter against Birmingham, about young players needing to reach the “right level” to be included in his team.
Emerson is already eager to impress, stating, “Seeing people who have progressed through to the first-team from the academy, such as Lewis Miley and Joe White, has been very inspiring because it shows it’s possible and the pathway is there if I do everything right.” The goal is to follow in Lewis’ footsteps because, ultimately, he is living our dream by playing in the Premier League and Champions League.”
Emerson was on display during Newcastle’s 3-1 loss to West Brom in Premier League 2 this week, but he will be hoping to rebound with a win over Leicester at Whitley Park on Friday night.
