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Dan Neil’s pays brilliant tribute to former Sunderland duo and spells out ambition for season ahead
Dan Neil has reiterated his desire to lead Sunderland back to the Premier League as he prepares to take the captain’s armband for the new campaign.
Neil was named team captain as part of Regis Le Bris’ new leadership group on Friday, with Luke O’Nien officially confirmed as club captain. The 22-year-old has a huge part to play this season as the Black Cats bid to launch a play-off push, and his importance in midfield has only been underlined by the summer departures of Corry Evans and Elliot Embleton.
“Corry was the captain of the club from the minute he came in and did an unbelievable job at it. That first year in League One, the back stretch of games before the play-offs, he was one of our best players, and he had such a cool, calm presence. He wasn’t a captain who’d shout and ball, he was very cool and collected and led by example. He was brilliant. When he had his injury troubles, he was still in and around it, coming into meetings, still giving me advice. He was brilliant for the club.
“That would be the ultimate legacy for me, making sure if I did ever leave I can’t look back with regret that I didn’t give absolutely anything to get back to the Premier League. That’s everybody’s goal in the building right now, to get back to the Premier League as far as we can. Legacy for me is knowing deep down I’ve given absolutely everything deep down on and off the pitch to give us the best chance.”
Neil is one of a number of Sunderland players who has been linked with a potential move away from the club this summer, after rejecting an initial offer to extend his contract shortly after the previous campaign ended.
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