Shepherd: Big match for Toon (StuForster/Allsport)

Newcastle play Zeljeznicar Sarajevo tomorrow in the first leg of their Champions League qualifier, with boss Sir Bobby Robson demanding the tie must be within their grasp before the return game in two weeks.

With anything from £15million upwards resting on the outcome, it is understandable.

Victory in the tie will also put Newcastle back on the big stage, just where they were when Shepherd took over from former chairman Sir John Hall almost five years ago.

Shepherd admitted: 'Not since our FA Cup finals has a game meant so much - although financially the rewards are greater this time. You can't imagine how important it is to us to qualify.

'To qualify for Europe is fantastic, to get into the Champions League is even better, a superb achievement.

'We deserved our place but it's important that we get through this qualifier and show what we're made of. We have the squad to cope now, although winning it is a completely different thing.

'Bobby has spent more than £50m since he's been here and we want to win something. Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool have all got great squads as well, but the League table does not lie.

'We did have the fourth strongest squad last season, but let's wait and see what happens this season. We have strengthened again and we have very high hopes. Our mission is to do well in the Champions League, to finish fourth or higher in the Premiership and to do well in the Cups.'

Despite recent success, Shepherd's years at the helm have not been easy. He has had to calm a ship in stormy waters after the turbulence of Kevin Keegan's stewardship.

Robson is the third manager under his tenure and it has been no mean feat to turn the club around following the disappointing reigns of Kenny Dalglish and Ruud Gullit.

Today, Newcastle have one of the youngest, most exciting squads in the country, their ground is finished and the £12m training and academy facilities are nearing completion.

Shepherd added: 'It's nice to have some success and I'm determined to enjoy it. I have a few regrets and there have been a lot of lows along the way. But at the end of the day, I don't know any Geordie who would not want to be chairman of this club. It's an honour and a privilege.'

Last night, Newcastle landed in the Bosnian capital to compete for the honour and privilege of playing in the Champions League first group stage.

Robson said: 'First thing is, we have to qualify and that will not be easy. We have to approach this professionally and come back having given ourselves a chance of going through.

'We know about their players, the system and the key factors of the team. They have to be taken seriously.'

Laurent Robert, Gary Speed and Carl Cort are ruled out, with striker Cort needing another exploratory operation after picking up a fresh groin injury in a friendly at Gateshead last week.

They join knee-injury victim Craig Bellamy on the sidelines, although the Wales striker hopes to be fit for the second leg.

Meanwhile, Newcastle have made an audacious £1m bid for Leeds' Michael Bridges, who has recovered from a series of serious injuries.