THE TOON RED
Our fans will party harder than United in 1999 if we end drought says Kieran
Kieran Trippier wants the Toon Army to party like it’s 1999 today.
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 eightyear- old schoolboy when Sir Alex Ferguson’s side clinched the Treble and sparked manic celebrations that brought Manchester to a standstill.
And Trippier reckons the Geordie nation wi l l party even harder if Newcastle land the Carabao Cup.
“The celebrations would be even bigger than back then,” said Trippier, 32, who will captain Eddie Howe’s team if club skipper Jamaal Lascelles 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 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.”
United boss Erik ten Hag took a pop at Newcastle in the build-up, accusing them of time-wasting.
Jurgen Klopp and Mikel Arteta have also been riled by Howe’s men this season but Trippier insists they won’t change their approach.
The two-and-a-half years he spent playing under Diego Simeone with Atletico Madrid have 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.
Trippier said: “Some teams haven’t been happy with us 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.”
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 before joining Newcastle.
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 hopefully they will be supporting me.
“They’re all proud to see me reach a cup final in England. It’s been crazy.”
Gaffer Eddie Howe will be suited and booted as he leads Newcastle out for the club’s first final for 24 years – but he’ll then rush back to the dressing room to don his workwear.
The Toon boss said: “During the game, I want to be mysel f and comfortable and I want to be close to my players, so I believe in wearing a tracksuit.
“Before the game, I will probably turn out with a different look out of respect to the competition, Wembley and our supporters.
“When we paid respects to the Queen, I felt I should wear a suit. Then I charged down the tunnel to get changed. Everyone asked how I did it so quickly, but I felt like I was delaying the game. I was a bit like Superman.”