Fans cheer for Kevin Keegan on his return to his first club Scunthorpe United

Legendary Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan has paid tribute to Eddie Howe for rebuilding the emotional bond between the club and its fanbase. Keegan helped to galvanise Newcastle as both a player and manager on Tyneside, taking his team agonisingly close to the Premier League title when they lost out to Manchester United in 1996. Howe delivered the silverware Keegan couldn't when Newcastle won the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool this year, and has guided the club back into Europe on a wave of optimism. Keegan was speaking on his return to his first club Scunthorpe United this week on behalf of a campaign by Guinness that is offering 10,000 free pints to non-league fans across the country on Boxing Day. The 74-year-old former England captain and two-time Ballon d'Or winner even went behind the bar to pour pints for supporters.