Newcastle director Jamie Reuben gives perfect response to comments ahead of Champions League draw
Newcastle United co-owner Jamie Reuben
Newcastle United co-owner Jamie Reuben
Newcastle United face a series of meetings with some of their old European adversaries after the star spangled Champions League draw in Monaco.
The gala event unfolded with Zlatan Ibrahimović and Kaka drawing out the teams before the fixtures were generated by UEFA's software.
Taking part in the 36-team Swiss-style League for the first time, Newcastle will have four away days on the Continent with two trips to France in Marseille and Paris St-Germain, Germany's Bayer Leverkusen and Belgium's Royale Union Saint-Gilloise.
It means relatively short hops for Newcastle and the avoidance of trips to Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan.
Newcastle have also landed home games against Barcelona, Benfica, Athletic Club and PSV Eindhoven - with the home clashes against sides United have fought with down the years in various UEFA competitions.
Revenge mission at Parc des Princes on the cards?
The Magpies were denied what would have been an iconic victory in the group of death in 2023.
That night Kylian Mbappe scored a controversial late penalty to deny Newcastle an impressive win at Parc des Princes.
The penalty was awarded after review by VAR, with referee Szymon Marciniak consulted a pitchside monitor before controversially ruling Tino Livramento handled the ball inside the box when blocking a cross.
It was a major blow for Eddie Howe's side, who had looked on course to secure a big win after Aleksander Isak struck in the first half when Miguel Almiron's effort had been pushed to the striker's feet.
Can history repeat itself at St James' Park?
Newcastle will face a powder-keg home clash against Barcelona in a rerun of the famous 1997 clash in which Tino Asprilla grabbed a hat-trick.
Asprilla's treble for Kenny Dalglish's side is still talked about to this day but Newcastle will be looking to advance from the group stage this time.
Last time out, Newcastle crashed out in the old format but the tie was being celebrated when the clash was generated by the sophisticated UEFA software in Monaco tonight.
What price Tino being paraded on the pitch before the game to get the crowd going?
Newcastle handed strong message on transfer front
Before the draw had been made, Newcastle director Jamie Reuben posted a picture with a giant replica of the Champions League trophy.
With Newcastle heading into final days still trying to resolve the Alexander Isak situation, some fans used it as an opportunity to send a message on a new centre-forward or two coming in.
Peter Malcom replied to him and said: "Let’s sign a striker Jamie, without one coming in, we will struggle in the Champions League."
Another poster commented: "I'm just hoping we have a striker in that can compete in the competition at this point. Not getting one would be an unmitigated disaster.
"Getting value for money or a prime target a distant 2nd to that. I'm sure the ownership get that."
As the draw was concluded, Newcastle leaked details of the impending deal for Nick Woltemade from Stuttgart with the views of fans clearly taken on board.