Eddie Howe’s Champions League dream inspired by chat with Kevin Keegan

Eddie Howe has refused to rule out the possibility of Newcastle winning the Champions League this season after an inspiring chat with Kevin Keegan on Monday night.

“You have to be a dreamer,” the manager said as Borussia Dortmund flew into Tyneside for their third Group F fixture at St James’ Park on Wednesday night. “My aim, and our aim, is to try and win a trophy. I’m not shy of saying that, no matter what competition we’re playing in.” 

Howe met Keegan, one of his Newcastle predecessors, at a book launch in the city and did not demur when Keegan suggested his old club were capable of lifting Europe’s showpiece trophy.

“I don’t want to heap a load of pressure on my players,” Howe said. “But, if you’re in a competition, you have to try and win it.”

With Newcastle top of their group after thrashing Paris Saint-Germain 4-1 at St James’ Park in their last Champions League fixture three weeks ago, Howe has cause for cautious optimism against a Dortmund side adapting to life without Jude Bellingham and recovering from the disappointment of narrowly missing out on last season’s German title.

Edin Terzic’s team are unbeaten in the Bundesliga but have only one European point, so this represents a make-or-break fixture. Howe is suitably wary.

“This is a pivotal game in the group, it’s crucial,” he said. “It’s going to be a thorough examination of ourselves, a tough test.

“We’ve had a good start but we can’t get ahead of ourselves. We’re still learning – this is only our third Champions League game.

“PSG was a massive result for us but we know Dortmund’s quality. We’ve got to take confidence from PSG but forget it. We need to recreate the level of intensity and alertness we had against PSG but it’s difficult.” 

Although Sandro