Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer has urged the players to make the most of tonight's Champions League clash at AC Milan.
Shearer featured the last time Newcastle were involved in the competition over 20 years ago.
“Loads of people messaged me when the draw was made, saying stuff like, 'Oh, that's really tough' or, 'That could have been a bit easier', but I was like, no, this is a great draw, trust me," Shearer told the Athletic.
“I always go back to what happened with Blackburn Rovers when we won the Premier League in 1995. There was a bit of turmoil at the club that summer, with Kenny Dalglish stepping down as manager, but there was real excitement about playing in the Champions League.
“Then we drew Rosenborg, Spartak Moscow and Legia Warsaw and all I can really remember is the bit I wish I couldn't, being frozen to the bone in sub-zero temperatures at the Luzhniki Stadium and David Batty and Graeme Le Saux scrapping with each other. How the hell did it come to this?
“So, no, Newcastle's group is not a group of death. It's a brilliant group, one that reminds us we're alive and I don't think it's impossible to get out of it. Sure, PSG will be tough, but Milan aren't a great team and they'll all find it difficult at St James'. Like Bobby said, 'Just one win, lads' and then get a couple of draws or a win away from home and you never know. This is where players want to be, where good players believe they should be."
Shearer added: "Playing in Europe is different for players and staff.
"The challenge is not just about the 90 minutes, it's the physical and mental strain of what happens around it. You travel in comfort and you stay in a lovely hotel, but the journey takes it out of your legs and body.
"It's fantastic and exciting, but it's draining, too. After matches, you get home late or the following day. It disrupts routines and it's brand new for a lot of Newcastle's players.
"For what it's worth, my advice to the players would be to soak it up, to enjoy the atmosphere, because they must realise how much it means to us. Because this is football and you never know what can happen. Although, I suspect this isn't going to be our last time in the Champions League…"
