Newcastle United debutant reveals his family missed his full debut in Champions League on Tuesday night
Newcastle United progressed into the round of 16 in the Champions League in relative ease last night, adding three more goals to their tally in the two-legged play-off against Qarabag.
The game ended 3-2 on the night for an aggregate score of 9-3 overall in what was pretty much a training exercise for the Magpies in front of a subdued St James' Park.
Many fans had hoped that Eddie Howe would take advantage of the five-goal lead Newcastle had and play a couple of the youngsters who have been on the fringe of the first team.
Alex Murphy, who has made a couple of appearances from the bench for Newcastle, made his full debut in the tie last night, but the young Irish defender told Prime Video at full-time that he only found out he was starting that morning.
Alex Murphy's parents couldn't get to St James' Park to watch his full debut
When he was asked if his parents were in the stadium, he revealed that he only had his barber there for support.
"Just this morning (he was told he would start)...
"My mum and dad were thinking of it and there was no flight today. They're watching it at home.
"My barber was here actually. He cut my hair yesterday. I got it yesterday just in case..."
Eddie Howe says he was hinting at Murphy that he'd start on Tuesday
Eddie Howe was confronted with that news by host Gabby Logan when he came out for his interview, and he revealed that he had been dropping strong hints to Murphy that he was going to start before he actually told him on Tuesday morning.
At least Murphy managed to get himself a smart trim before the match, even if he couldn't get his folks over to watch him in person.
The 21-year-old acquitted himself well and didn't look out of place in the starting XI. Hopefully, that was the first of many for the club
