NEWCASTLE United legend Malcolm MacDonald reckons Graeme Souness has until the end of next season to deliver a trophy to St James' Park.

But star striker Supermac, as he became known during his glory years of the 1970s, is confident the former Blackburn Rovers boss is the man to end almost a half century of hurt.

MacDonald told the Evening Telegraph: "This year is going to be the 50th anniversary since Newcastle United last won a domestic trophy and that is too long for a club like this. It's becoming a joke.

"Kevin Keegan, Kenny Dalglish, Ruud Gullit and Sir Bobby Robson have each experienced that hype where everyone has said, 'this is the man'.

"With Graeme Souness, it hasn't been like that so hopefully that is a good sign. But the pressure's not off because the fact is he will be manager of Newcastle United and the expectation will be as high as it has been for the last 50 years. The expectation is you've got to win a trophy.

"He's got more or less until the end of next season and he will be the darling of Tyneside for ever more for this generation of supporters. But if he doesn't, the same fate as Robson, Dalglish and Gullit awaits."

MacDonald also thinks that Souness, who found himself fighting a rare relegation battle at Blackburn last season, has plenty of work to do if he is to get the best out of his new players.

McDonald added: "Graeme has not only played the game at the highest level but won at the highest level - he has more European Championship medals than Patrick Kluivert.

"He has them over and above everybody here so all he has to say is, if you want some of the same then listen to what I'm saying. It's up to the players to take note and go and do it."

"But as a manager it doesn't matter what you've done at any other club, you have to prove yourself all over again.

"His record should help him but it's how he works with people on the training field. His demands have got to be ultra high and we'll see how players react to it."