KEVIN Keegan admits that he would've liked to keep Peter Ramage at Newcastle United but understands his desire to pursue regular first-team football away from Tyneside.

It was a tearful Rammy who emerged from the away team dressing room at Goodison Park on Sunday after coming on for the last few minutes of what was his farewell outing for his boyhood club.

And, despite having known the 24-year-old for little more than four months, Toon boss KK says that he had taken a real shine to the Geordie defender.

"He's one of those players you would like to keep around the place," he told Newcastle World TV after the 3-1 final day defeat at Everton.

"He's got a heart as big as Newcastle city centre and he loves the club.

"But he has to get himself a move where he can play because he's not 18 or 19 and needs to play on a consistent basis.

"But, wherever he goes, it will be their gain and our loss as a person around the place.

"I have known him three or four months, but you only need to be in his company for a week to know that he's a great lad and I wish him the best of luck."

Ramage made 69 appearances in black and white having made his debut against Olympiacos in the UEFA Cup in March, 2005.