Taylor hoping to start

Blues keeper happy to slug it out

Last updated: 16th August 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Taylor hoping to start

Taylor: Ready to fight

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Birmingham City keeper Maik Taylor is hoping to get the nod to start in goal against Manchester United.

The Northern Ireland international has stern competition for the club's number one jersey following the loan capture of Joe Hart.

Taylor has no qualms fighting it out to start under Alex McLeish, stating he has had fights to play at previous club Fulham and for his country.

Even if the 37-year-old fails to win the nod, he vows to be the consummate professional in a bid to regain the jersey.

"The manager has given us both equal playing time in pre-season," explained Taylor.

Surprised

"In fact, we were surprised in our last pre-season match that we both were given playing time.

"We thought he would stick with one of us for the full 90 minutes, which is usually the case in the final pre-season game.

"Then that keeper would usually keep his place for the start of the season but we both played a half each so we're not sure what he is going to do.

"When someone of Joe's calibre comes in, someone who has been sitting on the bench at Manchester City, then hope is taken away from you.

"But I've just kept my head down, trained as hard as ever and we'll see where it takes me. Hopefully it goes for me. But if not then I'll continue to work hard.

"This is nothing new to me. I've been in similar situations before throughout my career. At international level, I've had to battle it out with Roy Carroll and at club level with Edwin van der Sar at Fulham."