DON’T MENTION THE FOUR

Stones ignores Pep’s cagey approach and admit he’s dreaming of the Quadruple

JOHN STONES has not got the Quadruple memo from the manager. Clearly.

While Pep Guardiola has often played down Manchester City’s chances of an unprecedented clean sweep, Stones is positively bullish about the prospect.

And as Guardiola cut a pressurised figure ahead of the Champions League second leg against Tottenham, Stones was relaxed and relishing the brutally tough challenges that lie ahead.

Guardiola (right) would only go as far as saying that the guarantee of a topfour Premier League finish was ‘an incredible success’. Stones, on the other hand, is targeting the maximum haul of silverware.

The England defender said: “We are still on for the Quadruple and that is the dream we are trying to achieve and fighting every day for. If you don’t dream then you are not going to get anywhere near it. It comes from within everyone, we have this belief and ambition to do it. I don’t think a lot of things are impossible.”

Stones used the example of last season’s record-breaking Premier League points total as evidence of City’s iron will to set new benchmarks.

He added: “Last season, we won the league quite early but 100 points had never been done before. So we had the belief and desire to go on and do it and we went on to do it. That is the mindset.” Stones is not a guaranteed starter as City look

to overturn a 1-0 deficit from the first leg and make it through to the last four in a competition he desperately wants to win.

He said: “It is something we are all dreaming of and all want to achieve. The Premier League and Champions League are both so important for our history as a club.

“The Champions League is something we have not got and something we want to put in the trophy cabinet.”

Stones has not been an automatic choice but insists he will be ready to deal with the intensity of the two games against Spurs and next Wednesday’s derby at Old Trafford.

He said: “You get the best out of yourself when you are under this sort of scrutiny and you find within yourself who you are as a player.

“To be involved in those big games, it is a privileged position and we have got to take every opportunity.” As he spoke on the eve of the showdown with Spurs, Stones had not been told whether he will feature from the off.

He might well get his chance if Guardiola decides to shift Aymeric Laporte into the problematic left-back slot.

Whatever his role, Stones will be ready, adding: “If it is five minutes, 20 minutes, full game, whatever, you have to be ready to fight for the team, to be unselfish.

“Everyone is together here. Everyone knows how big the game is and how important it is to us as a club. It is a massive occasion.

“For the rest of the season we have everything to play for and we have to enjoy the pressure and roll with it and believe in ourselves.”

And in Stones’ case, that means believing in the Quadruple.