Souness defends Bellamy treatment

Newcastle boss Graeme Souness has admitted he could have lost the dressing room if he had not taken his firm stance against striker Craig Bellamy.

The 25-year-old Wales international joined Celtic on loan until the end of the season last night after his astonishing bust-up with Souness, but has not given up hope of returning to St James' Park.

However, the Scot insisted he had no choice but to drum out a player he has branded a disruptive influence.

"I think I'm like anybody else in this world - there are certain things you can forgive and some things you can forget," he said.

"But I'm also experienced enough in this business to know that if I'd been seen to be weak in this situation, there was no future for me with the players in the Newcastle dressing room or any job that I go after after Newcastle United, so I was put in an extremely difficult position."

Bellamy completed his move to Parkhead after turning down the chance to join the Magpies' Barclays Premiership rivals Birmingham in a £6million move.

He will spend the rest of the season with the Glasgow club but, in theory, could return to St James' in the summer to serve out the remainder of his contract.

However, that is unlikely to happen for as long as Souness remains at the helm, with the former Rangers manager insisting that Bellamy will never play for him again after his television diatribe last week.