Danny Simpson is targeting a European run with Newcastle next season as they look to mark a major turnaround in the club's fortunes.
Newcastle defender dreaming of playing in Europa League
Danny Simpson is targeting a European run with Newcastle next season as they look to mark a major turnaround in the club's fortunes.
When the defender moved to St James Park, initially on loan from Manchester United in 2009, he found a club in crisis, up for sale and coming to terms with life in the Championship.
But now just three years on from trips to Plymouth Argyle and Coventry City, the Magpies are aiming to be travelling to European giants like Roma, Ajax and Porto.
"It would be massive for me to play in Europe," Simpson told
the Chronicle.
"I came here when we were in the Championship. We won that, had a solid season finishing 12th, and to get into Europe in my third season would be fantastic.
"When you look at the improvement of the team in the last three years, it's brilliant.
"If we can make Europe happen now it will be massive for me and the lads - and for everybody at the club.
"We've still got work to do, but let's attack now in the last eight games like we have in the last two. Let's go again this weekend against Liverpool."
Pivotal
The clash at St James' Park on Sunday could be pivotal in the race for a European spot with sixth-placed Newcastle eight points ahead of Liverpool.
"If you had said we'd be sitting eight points ahead of them at this stage and considering all the money they've spent, we would have been delighted," Simpson added.
"They're a massive club as well. But we've put ourselves in a fantastic position in the last two games.
"We've set ourselves up for a great game against Liverpool.
"If we play like we did at West Brom we can make that gap bigger. It was great to go to West Brom and win.
"They have been a bogey team for us in the last couple of years. So to go there on the back of beating Norwich was a great result. And to do it the way we did was even better. It was a good performance."
