Newcastle already make a mockery of Charlie Adam’s ‘no point’ Champions League claim

Charlie Adam feared Newcastle United might not pick up a point on their Champions League return but the pundit has already been proven wrong after the draw to AC Milan

Newcastle United have already proven Charlie Adam wrong after grinding out a point on their Champions League return. Eddie Howe's side were on the backfoot for most of the contest at the San Siro on Tuesday evening, but kept AC Milan at bay to earn a draw.

Nick Pope was called upon to make a number of crucial stops, particularly in the early stages, while the Serie A side's frontline were guilty of spurning several opportunities. The Magpies did not register a shot on target until the final minutes of the match, and Sean Longstaff saw his fierce drive tipped over by substitute goalkeeper Marco Sportiello.

Paris Saint-Germain lead Group F following the first round of fixtures, easing to a home win over Borussia Dortmund courtesy of a Kylian Mbappe penalty and a goal from Achraf Hakimi. The French champions travel to St James' Park next on October 4 for the first European tie on Tyneside for a decade.

READ MORE: AC Milan 'sorry' as Newcastle draw leaves players and staff 'unhappy' after 'very intense' game

Newcastle have plenty to build upon following their first Champions League outing, and have already avoided the 'worst-case scenario' according to Adam. The former Liverpool midfielder suggested losing all six group games was a possibility for the Magpies when asked about the 'challenge' facing Howe's team.

Adam told BBC Radio Five Live: "To get a point. It's a tough group! What happens if Newcastle get no points in this group?"

Fellow pundit Chris Sutton labelled this take as 'unbelievably negative' to which Adam responded with 'but what about the worst case scenario? What if they don't get a point? It's huge pressure isn't it'?

Former Newcastle goalkeeper then branded Adam's answer as the 'most negative response', and the ex-Scotland international stressed 'I've always got to think the worst. But listen, I would love for Newcastle to qualify. I think it's a wonderful football club, huge support'.

He added: "But if they don't [get a point] then that club expects to win football matches in the Champions League. They've not been there for 20 years. What I'm saying is what happens if they don't?"

Given then flipped the scenario on its head by asking the impact it would have on Newcastle if they manage to advance to the knockout stages. The Magpies would remain in Europe with a third-placed finish seeing them drop down to the Europa League, and Adam questioned whether this would still be viewed as a success.

Responding to Given's suggestion, Adam answered: "It's unbelievable, gives you a lot of confidence. Gives you what these new owners and what they set out to do before they bought the club and that was the vision, they expected them to be in the Champions League on a regular occasion.

"I would love to see Newcastle qualify. Great history, great in terms of the stadium, the supporters are amazing but if they go there and they don't [get a point] is that a failure?

"If they don't qualify for the latter stages of the Champions League? Or would they be happy to be in the Europa League after Christmas?"