‘I played for Newcastle for 12 years – the AC Milan game is going to be huge’
Former Newcastle United star Shay Given is expecting St James' Park to be bouncing when the Magpies face off against Italian giants AC Milan in the Champions League.
Amidst an injury crisis on Tyneside, Eddie Howe's side know a win against Milan, coupled with a draw between Paris Saint Germain and Borussia Dortmund in Germany will send Newcastle into the last 16 of Europe's elite club competition. Should they beat Milan, and PSG defeat Dortmund – who have already qualified – then the Magpies will drop into the Europa League.
However, Newcastle come into their final Champions League group game dealing with masses of injuries, as well as two back to back defeats in the Premier League to Everton and Tottenham. The Magpies will be without Nick Pope, Jacob Murphy, Dan Burn, Elliot Anderson, Sven Botman, Joe Willock, Harvey Barnes and Matt Targett against Milan, and will have to make do with what they have in order to progress.
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One individual who knows all about big European nights at St James' is Given, who starred on Tyneside for 12 years. The ex-Republic of Ireland goalkeeper was in net the last time Newcastle exited the Champions League back in 2003 against Inter Milan, which saw the Magpies play out a 2-2 draw at San Siro.
And while the odds may be stacked against them due to their injury list and potential fatigue due to a congested set of fixtures, the 47-year-old believes the clash against Milan will have St James' Park "bouncing."
"The AC Milan game is going to be huge," Given exclusively told Daily Star Sport. "Obviously I played at St. James' Park and I've been back too as a pundit, I was at the PSG game with TNT [Sports] and wow, what a night that was. It's been amazing to have those nights back at St James' Park and you can see with Wor Flags and the place is rocking. Bouncing.
Will Newcastle United's European adventure come to an end tonight? Let us know in the comments section below.
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"I just hope Newcastle can finish off the group stage with a victory against AC Milan. It won't be easy. Dortmund have already qualified so we need them to Newcastle a favour over in Germany when they play PSG.
"I think a draw will be enough if we can beat Milan so it would be brilliant if Dortmund could do that and Newcastle could go through to the next stage after being in the group of death. I'd imagine it's going to be a special night at St. James'. Milan will be going there thinking they've got an outside chance as well.
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"Third place is a spot in the Europa League too so that's up for grabs. There's so much to play for in the last fixture. I'm looking forward to it, the fans will play a key part in helping the team get over the line and hopefully qualify for the knockout stages.
"And what a campaign it would be if they got out of the group stage. I think they can do it. I think Dortmund will want to knock PSG out of the Champions League perhaps and they're very strong at home so here's to a big night at St. James'!"
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