Keith Gillespie says his infamous bust-up with former Newcastle United teammate Alan Shearer never shook their friendship.

Their friendship descended into violence after a row at a Dublin bar during a Newcastle team bonding session in February 1998.

Shearer was England captain at the time and the full details of the argument have never been released before.

"There was never a problem between us before the incident and there was never a problem after it," Gillespie told the Mirror.

"I enjoyed his company, actually. He had a dry sense of humour. And he's a legend in Newcastle. His record speaks for itself."