Magpie taken by shot at silverware with Dons

Newcastle United loan star Matty Longstaff is determined to end Aberdeen’s silverware drought by lifting the last remaining cup trophy this season.

England U20 international Longstaff arrived on a season-long loan deal after the Reds had already exited two cup competitions.

Aberdeen crashed out of the League Cup at lower league Raith Rovers and lost to Qarabag in the bid to reach the Europa Conference League group stages.

The only knockout tournament remaining is the Scottish Cup and the midfielder aims to bring the quality, and goals, to end a 32-year wait for the famous trophy.

Longstaff, who made a starting debut in the 1-1 draw with Ross County, said: “I spoke to the manager (Stephen Glass) and Scotty (Brown) about silverware and about doing well in the cup which is going to be a big thing for us.

“I’m looking forward to it. Hopefully I can add a bit of quality on the ball and a bit of energy.

“I didn’t get as many chances against Ross County, but playing in a higher role, I’ll break into the box a bit more and try to score a few goals.

“I’m here to help the team out and hopefully game by game I can keep improving.”

Aberdeen’s final tilt at cup silverware does not begin until the Scottish Cup fourth round on Saturday January 24.

Longstaff, 21, has been reassured he has a future at St James’ Park and is so highly rated at Newcastle United he signed a one-year contract extension until summer 2023 on the eve of completing his move to the Granite City.

Although the ultimate aim of the loan is to secure regular football to propel himself back into the starting line-up at Newcastle, the midfielder refuses to be sidetracked by what lies ahead in the future at his parent club.

All focus is helping Aberdeen’s Premiership campaign and the last remaining bid for cup glory.

He said: “The message from Newcastle is to come up here and hopefully get games and just see what happens.

“I’ve just got to take it week by week.

“I’m here now so my concentration is fully on Aberdeen and finishing as high up the table as possible.

“I’m aiming to win games here and whatever the future holds, it’ll hold.”

Longstaff, a product of the Newcastle youth academy, made a sensational breakthrough when scoring the only goal in a 1-0 defeat of Manchester United on his Premier League debut in October 2019 when just 19 years old.

Later that season he would yet again net against the Red Devils – although the Magpies would lose that game 4-1.

Longstaff was sold on a loan move to Aberdeen after talks with manager

Glass, team captain Brown and ex-Dons star, Newcastle and Scotland winger Ryan Fraser.

Longstaff said the fast pace of the Scottish Premiership came as no surprise after journeys north of the border in 2017 to watch older brother Sean on loan at Kilmarnock.

Longstaff said: “It definitely wasn’t a surprise that the (Ross County) game was so fast.

“I used to drive up all the time and watch Sean.

“I knew what it was going to be like coming into the game.

“I guess it was quite helter-skelter.”