Former Newcastle United goalkeeper Shaka Hislop has hit out at Alexander Isak, insisting the Sweden international has no right to claim the “moral high ground” amid his standoff with the club.
Isak, who has Eritrean heritage through his parents, has been pushing for a move away from St James’ Park this summer.
The 25-year-old recently issued a statement accusing Newcastle of breaking promises regarding his future, but Hislop believes the striker’s conduct undermines his argument.
Speaking on ESPN, Hislop did not mince words: “You don’t go back to your former club to train. You don’t miss pre-season. You don’t stay away from the football club. And then in mid August claim a moral high ground! You’ve given that up.”
The ex-Magpies stopper stressed that while players have the right to seek new opportunities, they must also take responsibility for how they handle such situations.
He pointed to Isak’s absence from pre-season and training disruptions as actions that have already damaged his credibility.
“If that is what you are doing, do it and own it. But you don’t get to turn around six weeks into it and claim some kind of moral high ground here.
“I don’t understand Alexander Isak’s position and that ridiculous statement on social media. I do not understand who is advising him,” Hislop added.
The outspoken pundit further criticised Isak’s approach, describing it as one of the poorest examples of player power he has seen in recent years.
“I cannot think of any way he could have got this more wrong. It’s an absolute farce,” he concluded.
