Get the latest NUFC transfer and takeover news straight to your inbox for FREE by signing up to our newsletter Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Stuart Findlay has been impressed by Newcastle United new boy Stefan O’Connor - and believes he can establish an excellent partnership with the former Arsenal defender.

O’Connor and Josef Yarney, who joined United from Everton, were recruited for Newcastle’s Under-23 side amid much fanfare earlier this summer.

During Thursday night’s 2-1 victory over Celtic Under-23s in Whitby, Findlay and O’Connor played together in the heart of United’s defence and both impressed - with the new recruit even being awarded man of the match.

And former Celtic defender Findlay believes the pair can forge an understanding this term which will replicate last season’s partnership the Scotland Under-21 international established with Curtis Good, who is expected to depart this summer.

“That was the first time I’d really played with Stefan. We had 10 minutes together against Gateshead but this was the first full game,” Findlay said of O’Connor.

“Last season I played with Curtis Good for the majority of the campaign and we’ve got a good partnership but I enjoyed play with Stef and if we keep playing together then it can work out well because I feel we complemented each other well.

“He likes to play the ball out from defence and clearly has talent too.”

Peter Beardsley’s young Magpies will face either Whitby Town or AZ Alkmaar Under-23s in the final of this pre-season competition at The Turnbull Ground on Saturday (5.30pm kick-off).

Having already played Darlington and Gateshead so far this summer, the come-from-behind victory against Celtic represented a steep rise in quality, and Findlay believes Saturday’s final will help the Under-23s continue to build on their preparations for the new season.

“We’ve had two pre-season games and no disrespect to Darlington and Gateshead but Celtic played a lot more football than maybe we’ve been used to and maybe this caught us off guard a little bit,” Findlay added.

“We didn’t get going in the first half but at the break we sorted out a few issues and I thought we came out in the second half and showed what we’re capable of.

“Cal has got that ability to provide those sort of assists in abundance and Ivan is just the ultimate for popping up with vital goals.

“When you’ve got that quality it can be the difference for you so it was key to keep it tight at one end and let the guys do what they’re good at down the other.

“Celtic are the calibre of team we’ll be playing in the league this season and to get tested like that is excellent for us.

“We need a winning mentality early doors going forward because it helps you in the tougher games going forward in the end.”