Nothing compares to night we beat Barca

SHAY Given played for Newcastle United 463 times and appeared in some of the most successful Magpies sides of the modern era.

- By SEAN MCCORMICK Newcastle United writer [e-mail]

But ask him what his most special memory of playing at St James’ Park is and the answer is simple. The night they beat Barcelona 3-2 in the 1997/98 Champions League.

Given had just joined the club that summer from Blackburn Rovers asa 21-year-old and was brought in by manager Kenny Dalglish to compete with Shaka Hislop to be Newcastle's number one.

He got the nod to start that night as Tino Asprilla's hat-trick inspired Newcastle to a famous win over the Spanish giants.

Fast forward 28 years and Newcastle's first game of the 2025/26 Champions League sees them take on Barcelona again and, naturally, it has taken everybody associated with the club back down memory lane.

Given is no different and while he made the third most appearances of any Newcastle player ever, it is that night that stands above all else when he reflects on his 11-and-a-half years on Tyneside.

“Tt was just incredible. It was the best atmosphere at St James’ Park that I played in,’ Given, who will be at the game this evening working as a pundit for TNT Sports, exclusively told The Journal.

“T was only four or five games into my Newcastle career so I was very young at the time but to hear the Champions League music against the mighty Barcelona was just incredible.

“Nobody gave us much of a chance beforehand so it was a very special memory that night. The atmosphere was just electric. It was so special.