Newcastle United star Sean Longstaff emerges from 'smelly little flat' in Kilmarnock to star in Champions League

One starred in the San Siro for his boyhood club and the other is sitting atop the Championship with the English Premier League in his sights.

But according to Freddie Woodman, the Preston keeper and former Newcastle United teammate Sean Longstaff began their respective journeys in a "smelly little flat" in Kilmarnock. Longstaff started as the Toon made their return to the Champions League for the first time in 20 years. And they did so in one of Europe's most iconic stadiums, holding their own in a goalless draw with AC Milan.

Woodman watched his old mate do his stuff in Italy before putting on his gloves and helping North End come from behind to beat Birmingham 2-1 at Deepdale. The three points sent Ryan Lowe's team to the top of the Championship table with 19 points from their opening seven games. There's a long way to go, but the plan is for Woodman to be lining up against Longstaff next season.

That would all be a far cry from their days as a pair of youngsters on loan at Kilmarnock. Local hero Longstaff spent the second half of the 2016/17 season at Rugby Park, scoring three times in 16 appearances. He was joined by Woodman and St James' Park pal Callum Roberts.

"I spoke to Sean Longstaff this morning," Woodman told talkSport. "I told him it wasn't that long ago that were both sitting in a smelly little flat in Kilmarnock. Now he's playing in the Champions League with Newcastle. From where we were a couple of years ago, it just shows you you never know what can happen."

Host Jim White then issued a defence of the Ayrshire town: "Freddie, Kilmarnock is a beautiful place!" Woodman replied: "I know. But the flat wasn't too good!"

Woodman kept five clean sheets in 15 outings in Ayrshire, before ducking out early to