Manchester City defender John Stones says that his team mates are all earning their right to play as they give new boss Pep Guardiola a headache
Manchester City will want to win 11 out of 11 when they travel to Celtic in the Champions League this week as Pep Guardiola's side look to assert their authority on Europe
JOHN STONES says Manchester City stars are enjoying giving boss Pep Guardiola a headache.
City’s £47.5million defender insists that nobody in Guardiola’s squad is resting on their laurels, despite racking up TEN wins out of TEN.
Stones, a summer signing from Everton, said: “In training we’re all working to get into the starting XI. That’s how football should be — earn your right to play and play well to keep your spot.
“It’s healthy competition, which gives the boss a good headache seeing his players hungry to play.
“We respect whoever plays and get behind them, which is what makes us such a good team now.”
City aim to keep up their 100 per cent start to the season when they travel to Celtic for a Battle of Britain showdown in the Champions League tomorrow night.
Stones, 22, said: “I’m excited by it. I’ve watched games at Parkhead on TV before and I’m so looking forward to playing there.”
City — who outclassed Borussia Monchengladbach 4-0 in their Group C opener — are red-hot favourites to see off a Celtic team trounced 7-0 by Barcelona.
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But Stones warned: “There are no easy group games and you must show opponents respect otherwise anything can happen.”
And Fernandinho has warned City that Celtic will be a wounded animal tomorrow night.
The Brazilian midfielder, 31, said: “It’s going to be so difficult.
“They had a painful defeat but that’s one of the reasons they will step on to the pitch with a lot more motivation.”
Vincent Kompany has flown to Barcelona to get his groin injury checked out by experts.
City’s skipper, 30, is sweating on news after just returning from 4½ months on the sidelines.
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