Given - Fourth place is key

City keeper desperate for Champions League football

Last updated: 19th March 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Given - Fourth place is key

Given: Wants fourth spot

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Shay Given concedes finishing in the top four this season is key to Manchester City establishing themselves as one of Europe's top clubs.

Aware that securing UEFA Champions League football for next term would strengthen City's hand considerably in the transfer market, Given has called for one final push.

Roberto Mancini's side currently sit sixth, two points behind fourth-placed Tottenham but with a game in hand, with the Italian manager given the target of a Champions League place when he took over from Mark Hughes earlier this season.

And Republic of Ireland keeper Given believes such a target is achievable: "It's pretty clear, we all know we've got to try to finish fourth.

"If we don't, it would be a disappointing season. There's pressure on the manager and on the players to try and deliver that.

"We'll push hard in the remaining games and hopefully get across the line and that would be good, to get Champions League football at Eastlands.

"That would be fantastic and I think it would help to attract a couple of players in the summer as well, to strengthen the squad and move the club forward."