Sunderland’s Kieren Westood aims to be top cat

Go for it mate can only be good for yourself and Sunderland.

http://www.shieldsgazette.com/sport...s-kieren-westood-aims-to-be-top-cat-1-4551769





KEIREN Westwood is determined to prise Sunderland’s No1 spot away from Simon Mignolet after playing second fiddle for the bulk of his maiden campaign on Wearside.


Euro 2012-bound keeper Westwood made just 10 appearances for the Black Cats this season after arriving on a free transfer from Coventry City last summer.

Mignolet began the campaign as Sunderland’s first-choice stopper and after two months on the sidelines with facial injuries, resumed his starting role at the turn of the year.

But with fellow Sunderland keeper Craig Gordon – who continues to interest SPL champions Celtic – set to depart on a free transfer this summer, it will be a straight fight between Mignolet and Westwood next season to be Martin O’Neill’s No1.

Westwood said: “I am up for the fight next season. But I know it will be difficult when only one keeper can play.

“I’m 27 and sitting on the bench is not my cup of tea. It’s not why I play football, and it is the first time since I got into the team at Carlisle at 20 that I have experienced it.

“Saturday afternoon is the most important day of the week, having the buzz of driving to the stadium and seeing people come to see you play is like nothing else.

“It has been a while since I have experienced it now.

“It gets thrown at you that you get paid more than decent money so just be happy, but that is not me.

“I keep working incredibly hard, but it is a new scenario for me, and anyone who tells you they enjoy being on the bench might as well not be in football.”

Former Manchester City trainee Westwood impressed after making his Premier League bow last October.

But he lost his place through illness on the eve of Sunderland’s New Year’s Day victory over champions Man City, and never managed to oust Belgian international Mignolet.

“I worked hard to get in the side, and waited a long time for my chance to play in the Premier League,” said Westwood.


More to come vows Sunderland keeper Simon Mignolet


“I felt I’d done well enough to stay in the side and the bug, especially for the City game, was a real kick in the teeth.

“I had loads of family staying at the house the night before, and while they were all downstairs having dinner, I was upstairs hugging the toilet.

“A bug had been going round the club and I got it. I was up from 4am being sick.

“I rang the club doc six hours before kick-off because I was in such a bad way.

“What was supposed to be a fantastic occasion for me turned into the biggest nightmare possible.

“But I am a big believer in fate, and that everything happens for a reason.

“It’s made me stronger mentally as I have never had to deal with not playing before. I’ve kept my head down and worked hard.”

Westwood will continue to play second fiddle at next month’s European Championships, behind Republic of Ireland No1 Shay Given.

He added: “The Euros have kept me going. I love playing for Ireland, it means the world to me, and I’m delighted, very proud to make the squad.

“I want to go there and keep Shay on his toes, and be ready if I get a chance.

“He is the best keeper I have seen play for Ireland, but I don’t know if he has had anyone pushing him

 

Good to hear that from the lad but Mig should and will be number 1 IMO

 

We will find out over the course of next season, then again MoN might have other ideas.

 

I still believe that Gordon will be No1....

Then again that all depends on whether he agrees a lower contract offer. If he does, then he will be no1 IMO

 

CRAIG Gordon has cooled talk of a summer move to Celtic by insisting he would prefer to remain in the English Premier League.


The out-of-favour Sunderland goalkeeper, whose contract at the Stadium of Light expires next month, has been strongly linked with new SPL champions Celtic, whose manager Neil Lennon has publicly stated his admiration for the 29-year-old. Plagued by a variety of injuries over the past two years, Gordon has dropped down the pecking order at Sunderland to become third-choice 'keeper behind Belgian No 1 Simon Mignolet and Republic of Ireland international Kieron Westwood.

Celtic have so far been unable to secure the future of Fraser Forster, the Newcastle United goalkeeper who has just enjoyed another successful season on loan at Parkhead, and Gordon is regarded by Lennon as an ideal candidate to replace him. But the Scotland international, who left Hearts to join Sunderland for a record £9 million fee five years ago, said yesterday there has been no contact from Celtic so far.

"There's nothing going on (with Celtic) at the moment," he said, "but I am just waiting to see what my options are and take it from there. It's a case of waiting to see over the summer. I'm out of contract now so it's about seeing what offers come in and picking the best one from there, really. I could stay in England or a move to Europe could appeal. I am open to any offer. I would love to stay in the English Premier League but if that happens or not, if it's the best deal for me, time will tell."

Gordon made just one first-team appearance for Sunderland this season, against Bolton Wanderers last month, but is fully fit and has been recalled to the Scotland squad for next week's friendly against USA in Florida.

"I have been training for a few months now and hopefully I'll get some time on the pitch in America," he added. "I had a pretty good game against Bolton, I'm happy with the way I'm training and playing. It's just about getting a run of games now.

"Losing my place at Sunderland because of injury was frustrating, but that's part of the game. Other players come in and do well.

"It's just a case now of me progressing my career somewhere else and finding the move that is right for me."

 

I really hope the guy stops with us - he is immense when fully fit. Not knocking Mig but I would prefer Gordon in goal. He fills me with more confidence at everything.

 

I sill think Westwood will become number 1, he impressed me a lot.

 

We have two great keepers in Mig and Westwood: in my opinion that leaves Gordon surplus to requirements regardless of whether he is prepared to have a reduction in wages..