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Gillespie thought he was heading to a restaurant.

Only his closest friends and family had different plans—a surprise 50th birthday party in recent months.

An honored attendee traveled from his homeland to be there.

“The doors opened, my initial sight was Tino Asprilla,” the winger stated. “He stood waiting ready to greet me. The moment was magical since he is a figure you don't expect to see in such a setting.”

“A heartwarming moment,” he continued. “I felt overjoyed that he’d go to such lengths to attend the event.”

It is now approaching thirty years since the pair wreaked havoc in black and white facing Barça.

Yet certain bonds undoubtedly endure.

“We clicked that night,” Gillespie noted.

With the Magpies set to face the Catalan giants once again, the Colombian will observing from the stands on home turf during the match.

‘There was a fire in his eyes’

Really, the squad gelled perfectly during that autumn evening.

It may have been the club’s debut at that elite level, yet ex-player the Belgian stated “the odds were against us because Barcelona were the big favourites.”

Given himself, who was in goal that night, suggested that Barcelona “expected an easy win to defeat us.”

However, that wasn’t the outcome in a electrified stadium.

“I had never witnessed such roaring support,” Given said. “Incredible.”

Yet it was not exactly guaranteed that match-winner Asprilla would play – let alone score a hat-trick during the win.

The winger reflected that Tino “arrived late from international duty the previous weekend prompting rumors his participation was doubtful.”

Though the gaffer Sir Kenny Dalglish was short on a plethora of options in attack.

The star striker was out due to an ankle issue and Ferdinand departed for London a short time earlier.

It’s no surprise, ex-defender Barton recalled “Kenny giving Tino an opportunity.”

It wasn’t the perfect preparation for a match of this magnitude, yet Warren felt Asprilla was “focused” during the match.

“Tino was always very quiet before the games,” he noted. “However, there was an aura about him and a look in his eye. It was his moment.”

Soon Tino influenced the game, the striker winning a foul in the box to give his team the lead from the spot in the first half.

It was quickly apparent that he felt inspired.

“Often you could tell within moments which version of Tino would appear,” Gillespie said. “He had off days, but often he shined frequently.”

The duo’s partnership

Not only Tino that enjoyed a legendary performance.

Gillespie was the first to admit he was a "little bit in awe" as he looked across the tunnel pre-match and noticed the Catalan legends waiting.

However, Gillespie had little knowledge of Sergi, regarded as one of the best left-backs back then.

The winger sought to examine his opponent to gauge his speed.

When he confirmed he was faster, he repeatedly demanded the ball out on the right.

Rather than having a trick, he used a body fake as he was confident he was going to get there first” and whipped the ball toward the area.

Tino finished it.

Not only did Asprilla double the advantage with a bullet header, he secured a hat-trick through another header which stunned the chairman stunned.

“Tino was inspirational on that evening,” Hall stated. “It was visible levitate as the cross arrived - and score!”

Barça reduced the deficit, via their stars, but Newcastle held on. Narrowly.

To this day, it’s among the greatest victories in the club's history.

In a way, it was rather fitting that he failed to add another goal for the club before re-joining Parma not long after.

What more could he do?

Barton called it the Colombian's "pinnacle".

The balance shifts

Those matches Tino shined.

It seemed accidental that he netted several goals in UEFA competitions as he did in 48 Premier League fixtures.

However, his league bow was one to remember post-signing from Italy.

He might not have played immediately after landing in winter conditions dressed unusually a few days previously.

He even helped himself to a glass of red wine before the game facing rivals.

However, the manager, leading the team, opted to throw on his record signing after watching his side concede first on the road.

Asprilla duly set up the leveling goal and his tricky movement changed the match as Newcastle secured a 2-1 victory.

“Upon his introduction, he made the difference,” Albert said. “Exceptional talents achieve such feats.”

{It gave Keegan food for thought|It made Keegan reconsider|