Shay Given has been reliving his Champions League days at Newcastle United and in doing so has started to get a bit excited himself.
It has been a long time since Newcastle were mixing it with the big boys in the Champions League, but after a 20 year absence, the Toon Army are travelling to the continent once again.
A whole new generation of fans now get to see their beloved Newcastle take part in Europe’s elite competition. Among them will be Shayne Given, Shay Given‘s son who has never seen Newcastle kick a ball live in a European competition.
Shay Given remembers the goosebumps of CL nights
“My son is 18 and he’s never seen Newcastle kick a ball in Europe live and he was born in the RVI!” Given told The Chronicle.
The interview went on with Given recalling his days playing for Newcastle under Sir Bobby Robson in the Champions League and has said that the way he felt back then will how Eddie Howe‘s men will be feeling right now.
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“These players will, of course, be excited,” said Given. “When you line up before the game and the music is playing and the cameraman is going along the line, whoever Eddie picks for the game, there’ll be hairs on the back of their necks standing up.”
So many Newcastle fans in Italy won’t have seen the Magpies in Europe
“And you know the Newcastle fans could have sold it out 10 times over,” Given continued. “They’ll be crammed into every corner of the stadium. The away section will be jumping and these fans deserve that. Even just sat here talking about it, I’m getting hairs standing up on the back of my neck! I’m sure the players are feeling the same way.”
For a lot of fans the reality still hasn’t hit home. For me it’ll probably not kick in until I see the players lined up with the anthem blaring from the San Siro speakers tomorrow evening.
It is crazy to think that it was so long ago since Newcastle were last in this competition and how many fans who will be in Italy tomorrow will not ever have experienced the European days before.
Equally there’ll be a few players in that line-up who will be experiencing a Champions League atmosphere for the first time. It’s going to be an amazing night.