Shay Given shares true feelings on what Carabao Cup triumph would mean to Newcastle
Shay Given, who spent 12 years at St James’ Park, will be there to see Eddie Howe’s men take on Premier League champions-elect Liverpool - and he hopes he will get to witness history being made
by Simon Mullock · The MirrorShay Given reckons there might be a statue commissioned in honour of Eddie Howe and his players if they claim immortality in the Carabao Cup final.
The Toon Army have not witnessed a trophy lift since the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup triumph of 1969 and their last Wembley celebration was when the Magpies won the FA Cup 14 years earlier.
Given, the former Republic of Ireland keeper who spent 12 years at St James’ Park, will be there to see Eddie Howe’s men take on Premier League champions-elect Liverpool - and he hopes he will get to witness history being made.
He is in now doubt what a victory will do for the future at St James’ Park. Given said: “Eddie and his players have the opportunity to become immortals on Tyneside - and I’m only half-joking when I say he might get his own statue.
“There has been so much hurt and pain at Newcastle over the years. Most of the fans have probably never seen their team win a trophy and if you haven’t lived in that part of the world, it’s hard to understand what winning this final would mean to the entire city.
“This team are within touching distance of being remembered as heroes forever. Eddie has been at Newcastle long enough to recognise the passion of the fans and this incredible hunger they have to see their captain lift a trophy - and he will desperately want to deliver.
“But Liverpool are the best team in the country and Newcastle will have to be at their absolute maximum. Individually and collectively they will have to be nine or 10 out of 10.”
Given was in the Newcastle team that lost the 1998 FA Cup Final to Double-chasing Arsenal and was on the bench 12 months later when Manchester United completed the second part of their Treble. Two years ago, United once again had too much experience for the Toon when they prevailed in the Carabao Cup Final.
Given said: “It was painful being part of the team that couldn’t get over that last hurdle - and once again there is a big red obstacle in front of Newcastle.
“As with everything in life, you sometimes have to suffer before you see your dreams come true. I was at Manchester City in 2011 when they ended a long trophy drought by winning the FA Cup - and we all know what they’ve gone on to achieve.
“The Newcastle owners have got big plans for the future of the club and if they can get their hands on that elusive first trophy then it could be the springboard for some great years ahead.
“Beating Liverpool is a big ask, but the way Newcastle won both legs of the semi-final against Arsenal should give them the belief that they can beat the best.”
Given added: “I’ll be part of the Toon Army and I hope we can witness history being made. They took over Trafalgar Square two years ago the day before playing Man United and it will be the same again, with thousands travelling down without tickets just so they can sample the occasion.
“That loss to United should help the players. Losing at Wembley is never a nice experience, but they know what to expect now and it should give them that little bit more hunger.
“If Newcastle can then park winning that first trophy then they can use it as a launch pad for the future like City did. It doesn’t just give belief to the players, it gives the fans and the ownership that belief as well. You do it once, you want to do it again.
“For players like Alexander Isak, Bruno Guimaraes and Sven Botman, it makes them realise that they are part of a team that has won one trophy and can go on to win even more.”
Shay Given is a brand ambassador for sports betting platform CopyBet. Visit ** CopyBet.com
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