Gordon Strachan has warned his Saints players to be wary of the threat of Craig Bellamy - a man he knew was going to be a star.

Strachan, who signed Bellamy from Norwich during his time in charge of Coventry, comes face-to-face with the Welsh striker again today as Saints take on Newcastle at St James' Park.

The Saints boss was quick to spot Bellamy's obvious potential, demonstrated in full when he scored twice in the Magpies' midweek Champions' League victory over Feyenoord.

Strachan said: "Bellamy was excellent. I told him once after a game at Spurs about 18 months ago that he was going to be a star.

"I wasn't sure how quickly, but I told him he would be a star one day.

"He was un-fortunate at Coventry as he had been injured for a year before he got there. So we were a kind of rehabilitation for Craig.

"He had some good games for me at Coventry, but nothing like the consistency he has now.

"Probably because he is playing in a far more confident team with better players.

"He is lightning, got good energy and can run all day - you wonder how he can get better than he is doing just now, because he is scoring for both Newcastle and Wales."

"People are saying when Bellamy is playing, Newcastle are a different team. That says a lot given the players they have in their squad."

Strachan also believes working alongside a legend like Alan Shearer has helped Bellamy to progress.

"Even I could still be a half decent player with Shearer playing alongside me," Strachan said.

"The secret to success as a player is to get good pros around you. If you have a world class one, you are not going to go far wrong.

"It's never easy, but someone like that can make it easier. He knows his stuff, as shown against Feyenoord."

But Strachan insisted: "We don't fear anyone, and shouldn't think St James' Park is an intimidating place.

"I loved it when I played there, in a big stadium in front of 55,000 fans.

"If anyone is intimidated by that, they need not get on the plane to go to Newcastle. They might as well stop here and do some decorating.

"Fortunately, I have no players who think that way - they're looking forward to the game.

"Having lost their first three group games in the Champions' League and then qualified for the next stage, they will feel they can beat anyone - and they have the results to show it.

"Unfortunately, we haven't got the results to match our performances."