Nico O’Reilly says Manchester City are ready for a final push as the season edges towards a thrilling climax.
The Blues face Everton on Monday evening, looking to keep the pressure on leaders Arsenal. With five Premier League games and the FA Cup final against Chelsea still to come this month, City’s young midfielder insists the dressing room is focused.
“We are feeling good, positive and ready for the last few weeks and we’re ready to kick on,” said O’Reilly.
‘THE EXPERIENCED PLAYERS HELP EVERYBODY’
City have been here before. They know what it takes. And O’Reilly is leaning on the old heads.
“We have so many players in the dressing room that are more experienced and as leaders, they help the young and new players who maybe haven’t been in this situation before and it helps everybody.”
The title race could go to the wire. O’Reilly knows it.
“We’re confident in ourselves. There are still a few games to go, and it could go down to the last game.
“We’re going to try and win every game and score as much as we can. We’re going into every game trying to put a good performance in and win.
“We’re excited for the final few weeks.”
‘NO TIME TO REFLECT YET’
O’Reilly has thoroughly enjoyed the campaign. But he won’t look back until it’s over.
“With all the games and how intense it is, I don’t think there’s much time to reflect yet,” he said.
“I think that’s when we have time off, for now it’s about knuckling down, keep going, stay focused and try to keep winning.”
The 21 year old is loving every moment.
“I’m enjoying every moment of this season. When I’m on the pitch, I try to do my best and help the team where I can.
“Whether it’s defending or scoring a goal, playing in the middle, whatever I can do to help the team, I’m happy with that.”
FROM ACADEMY TO FIRST TEAM, O’REILLY THE POSTER BOY
O’Reilly has been used in that inverted left back role this season. But make no mistake, he’s a midfielder at heart.
“All my life, I’ve been a midfielder and have played in the middle, so I think playing as an inverted left back has helped because I’ve been used to being in those positions.”
And on being an Academy poster boy for those trying to break through? He’s taking it seriously.
“It helps the younger players out a lot, seeing the likes of me, Phil [Foden] and Rico [Lewis] in the first team, it shows them that there is a pathway and there’s a way to get into the first team.”
He’s been in their shoes. He knows what it means.
“I think it’s very important for me, I saw a few of the players a bit older than me do it and it gave me a lot of confidence.
“It helped me out a lot and hopefully it does the same for them.”
THE BOTTOM LINE
City are chasing. Arsenal are leading. But O’Reilly and his teammates aren’t blinking.
Five league games. An FA Cup final. A title race that could go to the last kick.
The young midfielder says they’re ready. Now they have to prove it.
