Kasper’s Foxes are still in the glory hunt

KASPER SCHMEICHEL insists Leicester is ‘a unique club that has what it takes’ to challenge English football’s elite.

The Danish keeper fired from the lip when he was asked whether the Foxes’ campaign was in danger of fizzling out after a stunning start.

Brendan Rodgers’ side, currently third in the Premier League, have Manchester United and Chelsea breathing down their neck for a Champions League spot.

The Foxes also fell in the semifinals of the Carabao Cup to Aston Villa and face Frank Lampard’s side today – a team that has twice dashed their FA Cup dreams at the quarterfinals stage in the past decade.

There is the real prospect of finishing empty-handed. When it was put to him however, Schmeichel (below) was having none of it.

He said: “It’s a massive positive that you are even asking that question – it means there’s an expectation on us.

“It means we are one of the better sides in the Premier League. People have come to expect things of us. And we expect things of ourselves.

“Of course, with the size of the so-called Big Six it’s difficult for us to break into that.

“But when you look at the structures, the parameters we are working within and that are already in place, it’s not.

“This club is run like a top club. With time, I believe we can get there.

We have the best manager we could possibly have. The best owner we could possibly have.

“Everything is in place for us to kick on. We will soon have one of the best training grounds in Europe, if not the world. Expansion plans for the stadium are in place.

“Everything is there for us to kick on and become one of the bigger clubs. We need to continue the work we are doing. Everything is going in the right direction.”

Schmeichel arrived in the east Midlands at a crossroads in his career.

After the high of that 5,000-1 title triumph and the Champions League adventure which followed there came the tragedy that befell owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha (below) who died in a helicopter crash.

But Schmeichel clearly feels strong ties to Leicester. And he maintains he’s not alone.

He added: “This club makes you feel special.

“When you look at the squad, there’s a lot of players who choose to stay here. Jamie Vardy could have moved. He wants to be part of it.

“I’ve stayed. I wanted to be a part of it.

“This club took me in at a time in my career when I felt so unwelcome and they made me feel so wanted.

“From what we have done together, it’s created a unique bond.”