Murphy's 'special' first Magpies start | OneFootball

Eddie Howe's side won 3-2, completing a 9-3 aggregate victory over the Azerbaijani outfit to set up a last 16 clash with either Chelsea or FC Barcelona.

Republic of Ireland youth international Murphy - who had made six substitute appearances for the Magpies prior to the midweek visit of Gurban Gurbanov's men - started at left back before later moving to centre half, acquitting himself well having lined up from the outset for the first time.

And afterwards the 21-year-old admitted it had felt like a long time coming - though he was keen to make the most of the opportunity when it finally arrived.

Here's what he had to say after the game:

On making his first start for United...

"I feel brilliant. It's not often you get your first start in the Champions League. There's a lot of adrenalin there. I'm delighted.

"I think your first start is always special, but the Champions League is what you dream of as a kid, especially when you go out and the anthem is playing. It's everything you wanted when you were younger, so it was special."

On when he found out he would be playing...

"I kind of had a feeling, when you just think you might play. All week I was just buzzing, and then this morning I found out and I was just buzzing!

"I went home, watched a couple of episodes on Netflix and was thinking of what I was going to do in the game after that all day.

"You kind of just have to think of it as another game as well, because if you over-hype it you'll get ahead of yourself. It's a massive occasion for me, so I'm delighted."

On his performance...

"I thought I did alright. I don't think I put a foot wrong really. I played the easy pass most times, settled my way into the game, so I thought I did alright.

"We were disappointed with the two goals, but ultimately we won the game, so we're happy with the performance."

On whether his first start felt like it was a long time coming...

"It has, to be fair. I've been gritting my teeth for a while, it's not been easy to be fair when you're not getting many minutes, and it's here and there.

"But I always knew at some stage this season I'd get a start, and I just had to do well in that start, because ultimately you need to perform when you get a chance.

"I've just been hoping and working hard for this chance, so it's a good feeling for it to finally come."