'They mean business' - Newcastle backed to to reach Champions League KO rounds
Former Newcastle star Shay Given is backing the Toon to survive their Champions League group of death.
Eddie Howe’s side will face Euro giants Paris St Germain, Inter Milan and Borussia Dortmund - and Given accepts that the draw could not have been tougher.
But the ex-Republic of Ireland international, who has made more Champions League appearances for Newcastle than any other player, insists the fear factor will work both ways.
Given said: “Newcastle are definitely in the so-called group of death - but there are two ways of looking at it. Yes, it’s going to be tough for them to qualify for the knock-out stages - but at the same time the whole of Tyneside is going to be gripped with excitement and these are the kind of clubs the fans have been dreaming about playing for the last 20 years.
“Every game is going to be monumental and I wouldn’t imagine PSG, Milan and Borussia Dortmund are looking forward to coming to St James’ Park. Eddie Howe has built a very strong squad and they won’t fear facing anyone.
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“In fact, I would go as far to say as the other three teams would have taken any other team in pot four other than Newcastle. They are all massive names in European football, but if you break down the actual teams then Newcastle have hope and optimism.
“I think Newcastle can go through. This is an opportunity to show the rest of Europe that the club’s owners mean business - and it’s a chance for Eddie Howe and his players to create history.”
Given, who was part of the Newcastle side that beat a Barcelona team that included Rivaldo, Luis Figo and Luis Enrique 3-2 on a famous Tyneside night in September 1997, added: “That night was probably the best atmosphere and occasion of my 12 years at the club.
“The perception was that Barcelona, with all their superstars, only needed to turn up to win. We went 3-0 up thanks to a Tiny Asprilla hat-trick and although Barca came back strongly and we were left hanging on a bit, it was such a big moment that even today Newcastle fans want to talk to me about it.
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The former Magpies No 1 believes their opponents wanted to avoid Newcastle“There are supporters who aren’t old enough to remember that night - and that’s why this draw is so big for them. St James’ Park will be bouncing.”
Given expects all four Premier League clubs to reach the last 16.
Manchester United ’s group includes Harry Kane ’s Bayern Munich, Copenhagen and Galatasaray - and the Irishman reckons Erik ten Hag will be frustrated to have lost out on signing the England captain from Tottenham.
He said: “If new owners had come in then maybe Harry Kane would be now wearing a United shirt rather than playing for Bayern because they would have had more finances.
“To then see United scrambling around for loan signings in the last few days of the transfer window suggests to me that something still isn’t right at Old Trafford despite the progress Ten Hag has made. I think United will still qualify from their group - anything else would be regarded as failure.”
Given, who also spent two years at Manchester City during his 21-year career, reckons his former club will find the task of defending the Champions League even tougher than winning it in the first place.
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He said: “I don’t expect City to have any problems when it comes to getting out of their group and as holders it is right they are favourites again given the squad and the manager they have.
“It was great to see them win the trophy for the first time - because even when I signed for the club in 2009 it was made clear that being in the Champions League and then winning the trophy itself was a target for the owners.
“Winning the Champions League is tough enough - but the fact that no-one has retained it shows you how much harder the task is that City have got.”
Given added: “I can’t see anything other than Arsenal topping a group that also includes PSV, Lens and Sevilla - even though the Spaniards won the Europa League last season. Mikel Arteta will be pleased with the draw and he’s now got a squad that is deep enough to cope with the demands of the Premier League and Champions League.”
**Shay Given is a brand ambassador for sports betting platform CopyBet. Visit
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