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Alexander Isak has disappointed Newcastle's fans through his refusal to turn out for the club during his ongoing transfer dispute, according to Rangers icon Ally McCoist.
The 25-year-old has made his position crystal clear that he has no intention of representing the club again, while pushing for a switch to Liverpool. Isak issued a statement on Tuesday, suggesting what he maintained were assurances that the club had failed to honor, though Newcastle swiftly responded to refute any such commitments had been given.
This leaves Eddie Howe with no choice but to persist without the Swedish forward, with Liverpool visiting St. James' Park next Monday for what promises to be a thrilling Premier League encounter.
Speaking on talkSPORT, McCoist, who had previously condemned Isak's handling of the situation, once more emphasised that the striker had pursued his desired transfer through the incorrect channels.
While he acknowledges that there are always multiple perspectives to consider, he believes Isak is primarily disappointing the Newcastle faithful with his present position
He said: "The right way to do it is, you put in a transfer request or you have a chat with the manager and say, look, I want to play my football somewhere else, whatever, and the manager will then sit down and have a chat with you.
"The way he went about it, you could clearly say he had a problem with Newcastle or a problem with somebody at Newcastle.
"My argument is he still shouldn't and can't do what he did.
"Throwing the toys at the pram is one thing, but actually making the statement that you're not going to play for the club again and let yourself down, let the fans down. That's where I've got a problem.
"I understand he'll feel let down, I get that, and we can argue about the rights and wrongs of the gentlemen's agreement.
"Who's let them down? Are they out of order? Was it previous owners? Do the new owners feel obliged to honour a gentleman's agreement made by the previous owners?
"That's all up for debate and that's a conversation that we can and will have.
"What's not up for debate is him throwing the toys out at the pram and then saying, I'm not playing for you anymore?
"I think he's particularly letting the fans down."
Isak won't be available for Liverpool's visit to Tyneside on Monday, with Anthony Gordon expected to lead the line against Arne Slot's team once more.
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