Sean Longstaff reacts to Newcastle United’s place in the Champions League

Longstaff was a Magpies supporter when the club last played in European football’s premier competition in 2002/03 under Sir Bobby Robson.

They will return to the Champions League in the autumn after tonight’s goalless draw against Leicester City secured them a place in the top four, and Longstaff can’t wait to experience another big European night at St James’ Park.

He said: “I honestly can’t put it into words. If you had told us two years ago that this was going to happen, we would not have believed you.

“We beat Juventus 1-0 here (in the Champions League), you can see that on old DVDs. To be a part of that, I burn to be fair.”

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Kieran Trippier played in the Champions League during his time at Tottenham, but the full-back readily admits that a return to the top of European football was his longest aim when he agreed to join Tyneside a year and a half ago.

Trippier said: “It means everything. When I arrived I took a risk, but I always believed in every decision I made.

“We recovered well, we recovered well. The club has gone through a difficult period, but now we are reaping the rewards.”