Dan Burn gesture explains Eddie Howe's disputed Newcastle United decision as future glimpse given

As Harrison Ashby slotted home Newcastle United's winning penalty against Tottenham Hotspur, there was a noticeable, looming figure spotted racing onto the pitch from the sidelines.

It is hard to miss Dan Burn at the best of times but even more so when he is the only Newcastle player sprinting straight over to penalty shootout hero Mark Gillespie; the fourth-choice, 32-year-old shot-stopper who never ever gets his moment in the spotlight.

Gillespie spent eight years in the Magpies youth ranks between 2000 and 2008 before returning in 2020 to offer backup in the goalkeeping department on Tyneside. He made just three competitive appearances in the 2020/21 League Cup campaign and has since been restricted to essentially making up the numbers on Tyneside.

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Yet still, season upon season, Eddie Howe triggers the clause to offer the shot-stopper a new contract - and each year he gladly accepts the offer. Many have disputed whether it is the best use of Newcastle's resources to keep the veteran on the books given his lack of game time.

However, the Magpies boss sees it differently. Consistently seeking out good 'characters' for his dressing room, Howe knows he has exactly that in Gillespie. The keeper enjoys a superb off-field relationship with fellow local lads such as Sean Longstaff and Paul Dummett, and is consistently praised for his work ethic behind the scenes. The reaction of Burn after the shootout shows how well thought of he is within the camp.

Gillespie made 13 appearances in Newcastle's matchday squad this season but was never really in with a shout of making it onto the pitch. The same may well be true next season, meaning he will no doubt saviour his starring role Down Under that bit more.

Howe interrupted Gillespie's post-match interview with the club's official media channels, stepping in to drop lavish praise on the boyhood Newcastle fan for his tireless work behind the scenes in training.

While Gillespie saved Bryan Gil's opening spot-kick for Tottenham that got the ball rolling for Newcastle, the pressure was also on the outfield players to keep their end of the bargain.

Newcastle ended the Melbourne showdown with a team made up entirely of talent from the youth setup, returning loanees and Gillespie. It was a potential glimpse into the future as some of the club's up-and-coming talent got their big chance to impress in the senior side.

Garang Kuol was given a huge ovation as he returned to his native Australia, making his belated Newcastle debut after almost two years. The attacker was signed with so much promise but has failed to hit the heights on two loan spells in as many seasons.

Kuol calmly scored his penalty during the shootout and will be hoping for more minutes in Friday's clash against an A-League All star XI, where Howe has confirmed he will play a younger team.

Fellow loanee Harrison Ashby also returned to the fold, featuring for much of the second-half before notching the winning penalty. The forgotten full-back had a hit and miss campaign at Swansea City and will be waiting to see whether he is needed on Tyneside next term given the emergence of Tino Livramento.

Dylan Charlton, who will turn 18 this summer, was introduced at left-back in the closing stages, while familiar faces such as Joe White and Alex Murphy were given a run out after spending much of 2024 sat behind Howe on Newcastle's bench.

How many of these youngsters emerge as future first-team regulars remains to be seen but this post-season jaunt provides them with a good opportunity to stake their claim for a spot in the team next season.