Inside Newcastle’s Wild Dressing Room Celebrations After Carabao Cup Victory
Shay Given has praised Newcastle United’s heroes following their triumphant Carabao Cup victory, but he emphasized the critical need for the team to secure Champions League qualification to reach the “next level.” Under the management of Eddie Howe, the Magpies ended a 70-year domestic trophy drought by defeating Liverpool 2-1 at Wembley just two weeks ago.
As a former goalkeeper for the club, Given was part of the Manchester City squad that won the FA Cup in 2011, which marked the beginning of their transformation under new ownership. However, he cautioned that the current landscape, particularly the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules, may slow Newcastle’s progress.
In an interview with SunSport, where he serves as a brand ambassador for CopyBet, Given stated:
“The City lads really kicked on and obviously secured Premier League titles and other achievements that followed. I hope Newcastle can follow a similar trajectory, but I don’t think it will be as straightforward due to various legislations that could prolong the process.”
He continued to praise the monumental achievement of breaking the 70-year trophy drought but highlighted the importance of striving for Champions League qualification:
“What they have accomplished is unbelievable, but now there’s still a significant goal to aim for with Champions League qualification. This is almost as crucial, if not more so, than winning the Carabao Cup itself. It would enable the club to strengthen and reinvest in the squad, which is essential for challenging for Premier League titles and competing in the Champions League.”
Given recognized that Eddie Howe and the club’s leadership are aware of the stakes involved this season:
“There’s a lot to play for in the upcoming matches. Securing a Champions League spot is hugely important.”
Achieving a return to Europe’s elite competition is not just vital for financial gains; it would also be instrumental in retaining their star player, Alexander Isak, who is valued at £150 million and has attracted interest from top clubs like Barcelona, Liverpool, and Arsenal.
Given firmly believes that Isak is the cornerstone around which Howe can build a formidable squad:
“The one player Newcastle cannot afford to lose is Isak. Losing him would send a terrible message to everyone involved and create a significant void in the most crucial position on the team. Hopefully, Champions League qualification will help keep other clubs at bay in their pursuit of Alexander. He is the type of player you can build around for years to come and is key to challenging at the highest level.”
Shay Given is a brand ambassador for the sports betting platform CopyBet. For more information, visit CopyBet.com
How ‘Big Angel’ Joelinton Came to the Rescue
In a heartwarming story, Newcastle cult hero Joelinton came to the aid of his former boss after he fainted in a Subway sandwich shop. Pellegrino Matarazzo, who previously served as Joelinton’s assistant manager during his time at Hoffenheim in Germany, affectionately refers to the Brazilian as his “angel.” Recounting the alarming incident, Matarazzo shared:
“I was in line and not feeling well. I decided to head over to the Coca-Cola machine to grab a quick drink. Suddenly, I realized I was about to faint, and then I did faint. When I opened my eyes, there was Joelinton! ‘Rino, Rino, are you okay?’ He appeared like a small, no, a big, angel—what are you doing here, Joelinton?”
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