FORMER York City goalkeeper Nick Pope has been hailed as the ‘best goalkeeper in the world’ by Newcastle United teammate Bruno Guimaraes. 

Pope made 22 appearances over the 2013-14 season for the Minstermen, originally joining on a one-month loan before Charlton Athletic recalled the towering shot-stopper.

York were allowed to take Pope back on loan after he was recalled, where he went on to establish himself as City’s number one and keeping an incredible 16 clean sheets in 24 appearances in Sky Bet League Two.

After another loan spell at Bury in the same league the season after, Pope earned himself a move to then-Premier League side Burnley from Charlton.

Pope has since proven himself with both Burnley and now Newcastle United, in a stellar season for the Magpies that has seen Eddie Howe’s side challenging for the Champions League in 3rd position. 

But in Newcastle’s Carabao Cup semi-final first leg contest against Southampton last night, Pope showed his class, as Howe’s side celebrated a 1-0 victory with Pope enjoying his tenth straight clean sheet.

Pope hasn’t conceded since November 6, 80 days ago, and is on a run of not conceding in 901 minutes of football either. 

Since August 2012, when Opta.com began their clean sheet recordings of goalkeepers, no other goalkeeper has embarked on a run of ten straight clean sheets.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Newcastle’s man of the match from their Southampton victory, Guimaraes, said: “I’d like to say thank you to Nick Pope - he has been brilliant for us. 

“He is the best goalkeeper in the world.”

Another former Newcastle goalkeeper and Republic of Ireland international spoke on the brilliant form, with Shay Given telling Sky Sports: “I had to double take when the stat came up about 10 games and 10 clean sheets. It’s phenomenal. 

“Any goalkeeper in the world who had that would be buzzing. He’s there for important moments, at Palace and when [Che] Adams went through tonight - he makes a big block. 

“He gives his teammates so much confidence. 

“Best in the world? That is up for debate but he’s in the best run of form in his career.”