PEP THIS WAY
CARABAO CUP ETIHAD, TONIGHT, 7.45 Gundogan:We’re up four it
JAMIE McALLISTER will try to help bring Manchester City’s unbeaten run to a halt tonight – then grab the chance to pick the brains of the man behind it. Less than a month after playing a part in Bristol City’s shock win against Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United the ex-Aberdeen and Hearts defender has Pep Guardiola in his sights. The Spaniard’s all-conquering side are looking to close in on a recordbreaking season as they chase an unprecedented quadruple. McAllister, No.2 to friend and ex-Robins and Jambos team-mate Lee Johnson, wants to cause an upset in tonight’s Carabao Cup semi-final first leg at the Etihad as they try to deny their opponents the chance of a clean sweep. The 39-year-old helped cause a major shock in the Scottish League Cup as part of the Livingston side who beat Hibs in the 2004 final. A win for Bristol City against the Premier League leaders would eclipse that, with the Championship side rated as 28-1 no-hopers for their trip to Lancashire.
It didn’t take long for McAllister to realise the size of the task facing his side on his first trip to the Etihad last week when Raheem Sterling scored after just 38 seconds of the 3-1 win over Watford.
As he looked for weaknesses for his side to exploit the Scot also tried to take in the fact he would soon be pitting his wits against the manager he believes is the best in the world.
McAllister told Record Sport: “I’d never been to the Etihad until last week. It was crazy for me looking at Pep Guardiola and thinking I would soon be up against him.
“For me he’s the best in the ILKAY GUNDOGAN says Manchester City’s push for a quadruple is bringing out the best in them.
The Etihad side, who host Bristol City tonight in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg, are top of the Premier League, favourites to win the Champions League and in the FA Cup fourth round.
So a unique haul of all four trophies is on and Gundogan believes that is keeping them focused.
He said: “It’s a positive thing. The more games we have the more chances there are to change world. I love his philosophy, his style of play and the way he conducts himself. I’ve admired him from Barcelona to Bayern Munich. Class is the word I’d use to sum him up.
“After every game you go into the manager’s office and have a drink and ask him how he motivates millionaires.
“You’ve got to ask questions if you want to learn and what better chance than to pick the brains of the best in the world?
“After the Manchester United game we had a chat with Jose Mourinho. He came into the dressing room and shook all the lads hands and wished them and the staff all the best.
“He was brilliant and it’s mad to think it was him last month and Pep Guardiola this month.”
The likes of Kevin de Bruyne, Kyle Walker and Ederson all started on the bench for City in their FA Cup win over Burnley at the weekend and that could be ominous for Bristol City in their first League Cup semi-final in 29 years.
McAllister said: “If de Bruyne, Silva, Aguero, Sane and Sterling all play then there isn’t a better quintet in the world.
“The way they change the tempo in their play, they’re so patient in the build-up and then one pass to break the line and the change of pace can hurt you.
“But if we get a bit of luck on the night and they have a bad night – a really bad night – we’ve got a chance.” players. We have a very deep squad and it feels every change that is made can put something new into our squad.
“We have chances to win all four and if we play as we have done in the last few months, our chances will increase.”