Newcastle United boss Steve Bruce has played down Alan Shearer's warning about taking the job.

Shearer urged Bruce to reject the Magpies' overtures.

But the born-and-bred Geordie insisted it was an offer he couldn't refuse after rejecting the chance to succeed Tyneside legend Sir Bobby Robson 15 years ago because he didn't want to walk out on Blackburn.

Bruce said: “Alan is a big friend of mine and he is welcome to his opinion – but I am my own man and I understand the challenge of what lies ahead.

“I've not been in Newcastle to monitor what's being said and I don't read it.

“If you read and scrutinised everything thrown your way, you'd end up in a madhouse.

“Just judge me over a period of time. I am quietly confident that, after nearly 400 games in the Premier League, that i will do okay.

“We want to make a couple of signings at least and we are active in the transfer market as we speak."