by Kieran Trippier is confident Newcastle will be in contention for bigger prizes than the Carabao Cup on their way to a brighter future.
The Magpies will be playing in their first final in 24 years when they take on Manchester United at Wembley on Sunday, when the win would end the wait for a major trophy dating back to 1969, some 14 years after they last won their national prize had won.
However, Trippier, a La Liga winner with Atletico Madrid and a Champions League finalist during his time at Tottenham, believes even that would be just a start.
He said: “We’re in a cup final but we want to be where Manchester City is, where Manchester United are, where all the top teams are.
“We want to play in the Champions League, we want to be challenging so hopefully this is the first of many and I really believe this club has a bright future ahead of them – and they have the perfect coach to lead them. “
That man is head coach Eddie Howe, who shares the ambition of England full-back Trippier as he seeks to use the financial strength of the club’s Saudi-backed owners to restore the Magpies’ fortunes.
Howe said: “The win would certainly help us speed up the process and the journey.
“It’s not the be-all and end-all of what lies ahead. I hope that no matter what happens, the club is in a good place and can grow from here.
“Obviously we want to put pressure on ourselves – and I said that from day one. There is no part of me that goes to Wembley just to enjoy the day and the experience.”
Trippier is one of the few Newcastle players to have seen a grand final, although the pain of the Champions League defeat by Liverpool and England’s heartbreaking Euro 2020 defeat by Italy on penalties gives him added motivation.
He said: “In the Champions League we conceded in the first two minutes; for England it was a penalty shootout and that’s just a coin toss. But the pain was tough, especially for England.
“But you want another competitive game as soon as possible. I don’t want to go into Sunday’s game with that attitude, but with a win.
“I have the experiences, but that’s a completely different time and feeling about it. I cannot go in with a negative thought.”
The Trippier family will be torn apart this weekend – brothers Kelvin, Curtis and Chris are regulars at Old Trafford – although the 32-year-old defender expects them all to be wholeheartedly behind his quest for fame and the joy the city brings would .
He said: “Even when I take my kids to school, the principal comes out and says thank you. They are so passionate and grateful, even some of the children’s fathers, how proud they are, how excited that some might go to London and there’s just a really good vibe in the city.
“As players, all we do is try to put a smile on the faces of anyone who supports us.
“It’s the same when I go out to dinner with my wife. They are so passionate, which is a nice feeling.”
Newcastle are bolstered by the return of key midfielder Bruno Guimaraes from suspension but are without goalkeeper Nick Pope after the red card against Liverpool that put potential debutant Loris Karius in the spotlight.
