Kieran Trippier has dropped a big hint on his Newcastle United future by insisting he still dreams of playing in the Champions League.
The former England full-back has spoken about the high expectations at St James’ Park but feels that any doubters have now been silenced after the Carabao Cup victory over Liverpool. Trippier, at 34, was one of the stand out players at Wembley and still has a full season to run on his contract after this term.
Despite being linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League last summer and a switch to Bayern Munich in previous trading periods, the ex-Tottenham Hotspur star looks settled again. His presence in the Carabao Cup semi-finals against Arsenal and then the final itself against the Reds was significant.
Trippier said: “Ever since I arrived at the club, I was questioned, I was doubted. But throughout my career, I’ve no regrets. And here we are now with a winners medal.”
Trippier played a big part in the pre-cup final preparations for the players and families ensuring Toon stars were not left flapping over getting tickets. He also admitted that staying at the Hilton outside Wembley in 2023 before the Man United defeat had proved to be a mistake.
Trippier said: “Going back to the last cup final the build-up was too emotional. I think it is fair to say for the players and supporters, it was emotional because it was the first final in so many years. This time around I feel we have been more calm.
“Just little things like tickets and staying at the Hilton which was a distraction. We said at the hotel on the eve of the game everything felt more calm.”
The cup final win ended 70 years of hurt on the domestic front and 56 years of waiting came to an abrupt end after the 1969 Fairs Cup win. Trippier said: “Because the club have been taken over the expectations are so high. But you need to be realistic at times as well.
“Like I said when I first signed it’s a stepping stone, we stayed up and then got in the Champions League. Got into a cup final then another cup final and won it. So we are building. That is the most important thing.”
The players are approaching a cut off point from the celebrations as they start to focus on the last 10 Premier League matches of the season. Trippier revealed the aim for the remainder of the season and dropped a hint on his own future – suggesting he wants to be on the field at St James’ Park when the Champions League anthem blares out.
The full-back said: “We still have a big season to go. We want to finish in the top four. We want to play Champions League football again.”
