Dan Byrne will spend the summer reflecting on encounters with Real Madrid, Barcelona and Sunderland after playing a key role in Newcastle's successful season.
A boyhood Newcastle fan, Byrne, who opened the scoring in the League Cup final against Liverpool at Wembley in March, is looking forward to a second season in the Champions League in three years as Eddie Howe's side struggled to finish fifth in the Premier League.
The 33-year-old, who signed a one-year contract extension last week, also scored in the landmark 4-1 win over Paris Saint-Germain in October 2023 and is aiming for more achievements.
When asked who his ideal opponent would be next season, Byrne replied: “I want to play against the best teams, so I would love to face Madrid and Barcelona. That's why we are aiming to play in the Champions League – it will be exciting.”
“I'm really happy to see Sunderland back in the Premier League. It's quite unusual but I'm really excited about it.
“I shouldn't have reacted like that, but these are the games I looked forward to as a kid. Derbies were the first games I looked forward to, so I can't say I'm happy to see them back, but I'm happy to have them back on the schedule.”
Newcastle's derby rivals secured their return to the top flight with victory over Sheffield United at Wembley Stadium in a dramatic Sky Bet Championship play-off final on Saturday.
Tensions were also high at St James' Park 24 hours later as the Magpies showed uncertainty on a day when a win could have secured their place in the final and had to rely on Manchester United and Chelsea to stop attacks from Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest after a 1-0 defeat at Everton
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
