TRIPP THE LIGHT FANTASTIC
Toon star reckons Geordies will party even harder than United fans after 1999 Treble
KIERAN TRIPPIER wants the Toon Army to party like it’s 1999.
The Newcastle defender is prepared to do whatever it takes to bring a trophy back to Tyneside for the first time in 54 years – even if that means upsetting his Manchester United-mad family.
Bury-born Trippier was an eight-yearold schoolboy when Sir Alex Ferguson’s side clinched the Treble and sparked manic Mancunian celebrations that brought the city to a standstill.
And he reckons the Geordie nation will party even harder if Newcastle land the Carabao Cup at Wembley.
“The celebrations would be even bigger than back then,” said Trippier, 32, who will captain Eddie Howe’s team if club skipper Jamaal Lascelles (right with Trippier) is on the bench.
“Ask the Geordie boys here, like Burny (Dan Burn) and Longy (Sean Longstaff ). They say the city will be in lockdown if we win a trophy.
“It’s good to have players like them because they can relate to us exactly what it means to the fans.
“You can’t think too far ahead, but we will give a good account of ourselves to try and win it.
“To win a cup would be... put it this way, even when I take my kids to school, the headmaster is coming out and saying ‘thank-you.’
“The city is just so passionate. As players, all we do is try to put a smile on everyone’s face.”
Trippier has played in European Championship and Champions League Finals, won La Liga and been to the World Cup semi-finals.
But mum Eleanor and dad Chris will be there with brothers Kelvin, Curtis and Chris to see him feature in the first domestic cup final of a career that started with Manchester City and took him to Burnley, Tottenham and Atletico Madrid before he arrived at St James’ Park.
Trippier said: “My brothers still go to Old Trafford and if we weren’t playing United, they would be supporting them.
Everyone in the family are Reds, but they will be supporting me. Well, hopefully they will! “They’re all proud to see me reach a cup final in England. It’s been crazy. There’s been a real feelgood factor around Newcastle. “So many parents of my kids’ friends have come up to me to say how excited they are and that they might just go down to London for the occasion.” Newcastle fans can be sure Trippier isn’t going to Wembley just for a day out. The two-and-a-half-years he spent playing under Diego Simeone sharpened his instinct for winning and helped him develop some of the tools that have transformed Newcastle into a team no one wants to face. Jurgen Klopp and Mikel Arteta have both been riled by Howe’s men this season. Trippier said: “Some teams haven’t been happy with us this season, but it’s about being clever and using your experience.
“I’ll be honest with you – I love it. Opposition fans aren’t going to like it, but as a neutral I think it’s good to see. I really don’t see why everyone’s kicking off about it.
“Years ago, you looked at Roy Keane and Graeme Souness. These were hard men. You might not get away with their tackles these days, but it’s still competitive and we want to win.
“We’ve shown that we will do everything we can to win a football match. You’ve got to have that mentality if you want to win and be successful.”
Trippier could become the first Newcastle captain to lift a trophy since Bobby Moncur hoisted aloft the Fairs Cup in 1969.
No Toon skipper has walked down from the Royal Box at Wembley with silverware since Jimmy Scoular collected the 1955 FA Cup.
“I’m not club captain,” said Trippier. “If Jam (Lascelles) isn’t playing then I will have the responsibility.
“I haven’t even thought about who will lift the trophy. I have to blot that out.
“The fans can dream but, for me, it’s all about how we can win the game.”