'It takes a lot of clubs a few years to get to grips with Champions League'
- Published
Dropping out of the Champions League and into the Europa League would be "par for the course" for Newcastle United, according to former Celtic boss Neil Lennon.
Tuesday's defeat by Borussia Dortmund leaves Eddie Howe's side bottom of Group F on four points, with two games remaining.
"I think they have to win both their games to make the last 16 so it’s such a tall order," Lennon told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.
"Paris St-Germain at home is a totally different proposition to Paris at St James’ Park. They will be hurting from that defeat. It was an emphatic win for Newcastle and you have to be at your best to play these type of teams. I’m just not sure Newcastle will be with the injuries they have.
"If they could beat Milan at home and maybe make the Europa League, looking at the group, that would probably be par for the course. This is their first season in the Champions League for a long, long time. So it’s a learning curve for Eddie and the players, even though they do have quality. They have just been a little bit short in the current circumstances.
"You can be a victim of your own success sometimes and that is what Eddie is finding. They had a great win at Manchester United which keeps them going in the League Cup. They’re still fighting for top four in the Premier League, which is always a big ask with so much competition.
"To try to move forward in the Champions League is such a big ask and it takes a lot of clubs a few years to get to grips with that."
