Hothead Bellamy in good hands at Newcastle

Newcastle hotshot Craig Bellamy insisted the firebrand label pinned on him by the media was not his true character, and promised to do his utmost to repay the club for a new contract by winning some silverware.

A week ago the Welsh international striker signed a new deal keeping him with The Magpies until the end of the 2006-07 season while it was his last-gasp goal against Feyenoord which put the side through to the second phase of the Champions League.

But two red cards in that competition have put a question mark against the 23-year-old's ability to keep his temper in check while he was also in hot water after Newcastle's FA Cup reverse at Wolves, pointing to the Premiership badge on his shirt as if to mock his opponents' first division status.

Bellamy said the incident was nothing to get excited about.

"It was just an issue with a couple of fans walking off the pitch," he insisted.

Bellamy added his decision to sign a new contract was his way of thanking the club for rescuing him from a miserable spell with Coventry.

"Newcastle gave me the opportunity to come here in the first place. I think I've rewarded them - I wanted to show some loyalty back," he told BBC television.

"I'm in the right hands with the right people at the right club."

Bellamy's finishing and lightning speed have catapulted him into the limelight and he has also shone with Wales, netting in last October's Euro 2004 qualifying win over Italy.

Now he says it's time for Newcastle to win something for the first time since a 1969 success in the Fairs Cup, predecessor of the UEFA Cup.

"My main aim is to win something," said Bellamy, though he believes the Premership title is not for this season at least.

"Realistically, I personally don't think we're good enough to win it. Arsenal are the best side - they're streets ahead."

Bellamy and Newcastle boss Bobby Robson have not always seen eye to eye given the player's Champions League suspensions resulting from his two sendings-off.

But the striker said furious as Robson was with his misdemeanours angry words would not have an effect - whereas missing the defeat at Barcelona's Nou Camp was what hurt.

"To watch that game was depressing, a really low point. To miss those games alone is worse than anything anybody could say to me.

Yet despite his bans Bellamy denies being a hothead.

"Referees know I'm not that bad. I rarely put a tackle in!" he grinned.