STEVE BRUCE last night hit back at John Terry
and conspiracy theorists who fear his Wigan team will allow
Manchester United to win the title.
Latics manager Bruce has
been challenged by Chelsea skipper Terry to uphold the integrity of
English football by going all-out for a victory at the JJB that
would rob his mentor, Sir Alex Ferguson, and his former club of
their 10th Premier League crown.
Bruce, as United’s
second most successful captain and Ferguson’s on-field general of
the Nineties, has come under scrutiny as the title scrap goes down
to the wire. But Bruce, who won three FA Cups, three titles, the
European Cup Winners’ Cup and a League Cup during his time at Old
Trafford, is insulted by suggestions of any collusion between him
and his old boss.
He is being asked if
Ferguson has been on the phone, just days after Chelsea boss Avram
Grant questioned the determination of Alan Curbishley and West Ham
to beat United last weekend. Bruce has been in Egypt on a scouting
mission, but made it clear that Ferguson knows exactly what he is
in for on Sunday.
“Sir Alex won’t be
expecting me to do him any favours and he knows that he will not
get any,” said Bruce. “For anyone to think otherwise, that is
unacceptable. “The one thing that sets our league apart from all
others is the honesty and integrity of it all. That is what makes
it the best league in the world. It always has done. “We know that
we have a responsibility to treat the game just like we have
treated all the others this season and to try to win it. That is
why we are looking forward to it so much.
“It has been a fixture
all the fans have had their eye on, and we want to put on a show.
Our fans have been magnificent all season and this is the perfect
end to the season for us. “No one should have any worries about the
way we approach the game and how we will go about it. All of the
staff and players will be totally professional.”
Chelsea need to win
their match against Bolton at Stamford Bridge and hope that United
drop points. Terry revved up what will be one of the most tense
final games for many seasons, while Grant has made it clear that he
expects Bruce to do all he can to try to upset United’s bid for
another title.
Terry said he would be
“disappointed” if Bruce and Co do not do the league justice and
hopes that they will give Chelsea a chance. He has made it clear
that Wigan have a duty to put on the same kind of committed
performance against United as they did at Stamford Bridge last
month. Bruce knows victory could earn him extra funds for the
transfer market this summer as he looks to build on his club’s
revival.
Despite spending most of
the season in the bottom three, Wigan would finish 12th if they can
beat United and Newcastle lose at Everton. That would be enough to
gain the Latics, who currently lie 13th, £6.4million prize-money.
But should they lose, they could finish as low as 15th which would
net only £4.3m. Bruce said: “We have to be professional and we
will be.
“The difference between
finishing two places in the Premier League these days is almost
£1.5m.”
Bruce is seeking his
first Premier League success over Ferguson in 10 attempts. He faced
Ferguson nine times while he was in charge at Birmingham, with
United winning seven times. The other two showdowns ended
all-square.
But Kevin Kilbane
believes in-form Wigan can ruin hopes of a Premier League and
Champions League Double for United and Ferguson. The Latics are
unbeaten in five and head into the match on the back of an
impressive 2-0 win at Aston Villa. Irish midfielder Kilbane
said: “We wanted to be safe before we played United and this is now
the case. “We were delighted with how things went at Villa, and the
boss has done a terrific job. He has been the key.”
Bruce hopes to
strengthen his squad for next year by signing Egypt striker Amr
Zaki. Wigan had a £4.1m bid for him turned down in January, and
Bruce was in Egypt to check on the El Zamalek player, who turned 25
last month and has scored 21 goals for his country in 40
internationals. Zaki’s agent, Mohamed Sayed, has claimed the player
is interested in moving to the JJB Stadium but is likely to use the
Latics only as a stepping-stone. “Bruce believes Zaki can pull it
off in England and the Premier League if he joined Wigan,” said
Sayed. “Many European clubs are eyeing Zaki, which is
great. But every footballer’s highest dream is to perform in
the Premier League.”
Sayed added: “Wigan are
a mediocre team in the Premier League, but it is the perfect
destination for Zaki as he could draw the attention of bigger clubs
later.”
