LET'S TURN BACK TYNE

Howe out to beat Barca and party like it's 1997

- by LEE RYDER

EDDIE HOWE called on the spirit of 1997 to help Newcastle earn their biggest win in modern history against Barcelona.

The season will be as good as over for the Magpies if they bow out in the Champions League last 16 after slipping down into the bottom half of the Premier League table.

And boss Howe had no issue comparing his current squad to 1990s heroes Faustino Asprilla and Keith Gillespie.

In the corridors of St James' Park is a portrait of Asprilla after the Colombian (above) scored a hat-trick in the 3-2 win against Barcelona in 1997. And Howe said: "In 30 years' time, I want our players to be talked about the way Tino Asprilla and Keith Gillespie are.

"There was a reason why that Barca game was the best atmosphere - because the team played so well.