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Aleksandar Mitrovic looked down at his pistol fingers and chuckled.

A teammate had just demanded an explanation why he sprayed imaginary bullets into the St James’ Park crowd after scoring against Norwich last week.

The reply demonstrates the thrill he is getting from leading the line, and scoring, for Newcastle United.

“I tell them when I score a goal I have so much aggression, passion, adrenaline that I could run around the pitch ten times and jump over the stadium!,” explained striker Mitrovic.

“I need to do something to put everything out. It is a release of emotions.”

In pictures — Newcastle 6-2 Norwich:

Those emotions will have to be controlled at Sunderland's Stadium of Light this weekend and if he is to “earn the right” to wear the No9 shirt one day. Sunday’s game has symmetry for Mitrovic.

Three years ago, he started his career by scoring in the black and white of Partizan Belgrade against red and white Red Star Belgrade.

He scored and says: “We talk about dangerous derby games... that is a dangerous game!

“Why? In Serbia, so much rivalry from the fans. Out on the pitch, before and after the game, there is really a problem of fights between the fans. It is really dangerous. But I play two derbies and I had really good experience from them.

“We are black and white, they are red and white, and in Serbia it is the same. It is a coincidence, and a good omen!”

There will be focus on Mitrovic because of his sending off earlier in the season, causing his temperament to be questioned.

At Newcastle’s training ground, the 21-year-old speaks with a mischievous smile, a deep voice, and an inner confidence.

He now has two goals to his name since his £14million summer transfer from Anderlecht, but being a focal point to the United attack is almost as important.

He has discovered from the fans’ reaction how they treat a goal-getting targetman on Tyneside.

“Here it is like a religion to have a real No 9 strong striker, a box player, always in the box, give the ball, score goal,” he says.

“This is the most special place for strikers to play. All strikers who score here are big players and they come after legends. It is an honour to be a striker here. I hope I have a lot of goals here to celebrate.”

He hasn’t met his childhood hero Alan Shearer yet, but hopes to.

(Image: Stu Forster /Allsport)

“I have 204 goals to go! I have time! Shearer came here when he was 26 til 36. Why not!” he says, only half joking.

“I always look at those legends. Shearer is No1 here. Everyone was behind him. He did a lot for this club and this is how I want to play. Maybe one day I can become a legend. It is just beginning.

“I hope to meet him. He is my idol. I only came here two months ago, and I don’t want to leave soon, so it will happen.”

Mitrovic won’t be demanding the famous No 9 shirt yet. He chose to wear 45 this season because the two numbers add up to nine.

He said: “I want to earn the No 9. It is a big responsibility at this club. We know who was No 9 before, and you need to earn that. You earn it by scoring big goals in games like Sunday. For now, I am happy with 45.

Sunderland may target him, but they’ll encounter a calculating opponent who is growing up fast, and fitting in at his new club.

Mitrovic recently played a flash-point Euro qualifier against Albania, and came through the battle unscathed.

He explained: “Aaah, this game is different! Sunderland Newcastle is sport. That game is politics! A different rivalry.”

Sunday looms. He can’t wait.

“Big game! We need to win (laughs). We did not win five in a row (in fact Sunderland won them all). That is really difficult.

“I say we go there to try to play football, stay calm and give it a go. We have a good team, we believe in ourselves and we know we can win it — although we respect Sunderland.”

ALEKSANDAR MITROVIC ON...

...aims for the season “I don’t want to speak now about being fifth or sixth. First two games we said top seven or six and we started bad. So we have to go game to game. Everything will come if we work hard. We can do a lot more and better than we are now.”

...how it will feel to be hated at the Stadium of Light “I don’t listen to what they sing or what they say. A good atmosphere is nice, but if you listen to what they say you are not 100% concentrated. You can’t hear the crowd. You concentrate on the ball and on the pitch. “

...staying calm “I put all my aggression to help my teammates. To score goals, to run for my team, that is the best way to use passion, aggression and everything you have.”

....his crazy haircuts from the past “I was young. My teammates wouldn’t let me do those styles here. I tried a new one every day. I had this cut or that — just for fun. Not any more. I have one haircut all the same.”

...tattoos “I have my initials on my neck. I might have some more. A Newcastle badge? Why not? I know many fans have this done.”

...living in ex-Toon boss Alan Pardew’s former home “Yes I am told this is where he lived. Nice house. I had something like this in Anderlecht. My mum and dad come over. They have a visa and come for a while then someone else comes over. I am never alone.”

...being a normal bloke “I like family life. At home most of the time in house. Nothing special, like a normal person. I train, I rest, sometimes go for dinner. Really, I am normal.”