‘Crazy’ - Newcastle United man opens up about dramatic Bristol Rovers goal against Scunthorpe United

Bristol Rovers’ move to sign Newcastle United’s Elliot Anderson on loan in January turned out to be a masterstroke.

The attacking midfielder switched to the Memorial Ground for the second-half of the season and ended up scoring eight goals in 21 games to help Joey Barton’s side win promotion from League Two.

They went into the final day against already relegated Scunthorpe United needing to win and better Northampton Town’s result and their hefty goal difference.

Bristol Rovers promotion

Anderson, 19, scored the crucial goal in the 7-0 win over the Iron on 85 minutes to seal promotion. He has been reflecting on that eventual day now he is back with his parent club.

Speaking to Newcastle’s official club website, the teenager has said: “Quite a lot of people said we’d do it. I remember someone saying they had a funny feeling we’d win by seven - I remember him saying it. I was thinking, ‘I wish’.

“It was crazy. We had a left winger at left back, and right winger at right back, and then wingers in the winger spots so we just went all-out attack. It was quite a lot to do, really, but we believed in each other.

“At half time, in my head, I thought, ‘it’s a bit tough to do, that’ - we had to score five more. But everyone kept trying, kept going. Chasing that final goal, we knew we just needed one more.”

Five minutes before time, Antony Evans whipped in a cross for Anderson to score.

Anderson said: “I just thought, ‘I have to hit the target - this is the last five minutes, I can’t miss this’.

“I was just praying that it would come. I’ve jumped up at the back stick and got it in, and the stadium just erupted. I can’t really remember what happened to be honest but I remember being on the floor, in the celebration, with fans all over.”

He added: “It was a great day, for my family as well, and one I’ll remember all my life. Now I’ve got to push on for the next moment like that.”

What next for Anderson?

Anderson is back with Newcastle now and is currently away with their first-team in Austria as they prepare for the new Premier League season.

The Toon Army have friendly games coming up against European pair 1860 Munich and Mainz in Austria and he will be looking to impress Eddie Howe.

His current club have a big decision to make on what to do with him next term and another loan move away to get more experience under his belt isn’t beyond the realms of possibility.

Anderson’s move to Bristol Rovers ended up being a great one for his development and he will be remembered by their fans for many years to come after his dramatic goal against Scunthorpe.