Eddie Howe issues passionate rallying cry to Newcastle stars ahead of crunch Champions League clash with Barcelona

Eddie Howe has urged his Newcastle players to seize what could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and write their name in club folklore against Barcelona.

The Magpies will play Champions League knockout football for the first time when they host the Spanish giants in the last 16 on Tuesday.

It was 29 years ago that Newcastle beat Barcelona 3-2 in their first-ever group game in the competition, and hat-trick hero Tino Asprilla will be back at St James’ Park for this tie.

Howe said: ‘In 20, 30, 40 years’ time, I want our players to be talked about in the same way as Tino Asprilla. This is an opportunity to grab a moment that we may never get again. You never know what life brings tomorrow, let alone future seasons.

‘We don’t want to waste that opportunity. We don’t want to kick ourselves or think, “What if?”. In my time here, just over four years, we have worked to get to this point. As long as we perform to our maximum, I will accept the result. We want to try and get as close as we can to our very best.’

Newcastle have been at their best under Howe, especially in cup competitions, when up against more fancied opposition.

‘The underdog role, in my time here, has helped us,’ said the head coach. ‘We are going to have to use every psychological tool that we can to help us because we are playing a very, very good team.

‘We have to have that mentality (it is the biggest game in our recent history). We have to rise to the occasion and embrace size of the game. These are things that have helped us this season and we are looking for the same again. I’m desperate for the club to break new ground and to keep going in this competition having worked so hard to get here. If there’s a time for us to be at our absolute best, it’s now.’