Newcastle United take on Qarabag in the second leg of their play-off round Champions League clash at St James’ Park.
And the winger mentioned two remarkably unlikely names as part of his press conference preview.
While talk this season has ranged from Ballon d’Or winners to Jose Mourinho and everything in-between the night before the games, not many gathered at St James’ Park expected Murphy to mention Matt Ritchie and Steve Bruce. Yes, him.
Steve Bruce namechecked in Champions League press conference
Murphy said: “Everyone has a similar journey that they want to go on. There's just different paths. That was my path. Luckily, when I was on that loan at Sheffield Wednesday, everything started to click for me. I came back. That's where I feel Jacob Murphy 2.0 was formed. Personally, a good couple of seasons under Steve Bruce. Then Gaffer came in and the rest is history. My question is about leadership as well. It's felt like the senior players have stepped forward again in the last two weeks or so. There's a little mini reset.”
NUFC have been seeing Jacob Murphy 2.0
It’s truly been some journey for Murphy at Newcastle United.
When the boyhood fan put pen to paper nine years ago, he was Rafa Benitez’s flagship signing in a less than impressive summer. And in tune with that faulty window, Murphy had little to no impact in his first few years at the club, which included a host of Championship loans.
Playing in Europe’s premier club competition, in those early days, it’s fair to say, was not on Murphy’s bingo card.
“Playing in the Champions League was something that I wanted to achieve,” he said.
“I managed to make my debut in the San Siro, and then after that, it's like, right, when can I get my first goal, when can I get my first assist? I'd done well to get some assists, but that first goal was eluding me and bearing to be a bit tricky to get. But yeah, with a little bit of help, I finally got it.”
Now, NUFC sit on the verge of the last 16, something they’ve done just once in their history.
Murphy continued: “It would be amazing. I think this group over the last four seasons, we've been reaching new heights in different ways. This is another milestone which we can achieve. If we can do that, we'll be super buzzed about it. We've done some really good things in previous seasons, and this will be another one to add to it.”
The champions! Jacob Murphy on that Champions League tune
Famously, Murphy was the most excited man in the Champions League line-up when the famous walk out song sounded out on his competition debut at the San Siro.
And he was asked if he still gets the same feeling as he did two and a half years ago. For him, the feeling never goes away.
“When the anthem goes, I think I'm like all the fans in the stadium at the end, and it goes, the champions! I always belt that out at the end with the rest of the crowd,” he said.
“They're moments I never take for granted. If you're not feeling like a kid still in their moments, and yes, I'm very serious about my work, but at the end of the day, I do the best job in the world.
“ I always feel that excitement, that childlike feeling when it comes to playing in such big moments and big games. Is it like a gift to your 10 or 11-year-old self sometimes when you pull the shirt on because it's a magic moment? Yes, it is a magic moment. Players and fans alike, they're just special nights.
“Even sitting here with these boards, it's just different. You always see it. So, yes, I never take any of this for granted.”
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