The ability for a footballer to laugh at himself is crucial in the Premier League, and Newcastle’s Aleksandar Mitrovic will have to learn that lesson quickly.
Mitrovic has picked up two bookings and a sending-off in his first four games for the Magpies, and the club’s own Twitter account was quick to allude to this when wishing the 21-year-old a happy birthday.
Happy 21st birthday to Aleksandar Mitrović! 🎂🎉 He's had lots of cards… #NUFC pic.twitter.com/I3BkllX3Aa
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) September 16, 2015
We wonder if they’ll ask a Premier League referee to go up to the striker and brandish a birthday cake like a red card, just to make him feel at home.