WE’RE OUT ..FOR MOR
Morgan: Journey is over but now we can look forward Drinkwater: We want to play in more massive games
WES MORGAN insists Leicester will keep their side together next season, despite admitting “the ride is over” following their European exit.
Craig Shakespeare’s men were knocked out of the Champions League quarter-finals by Atletico Madrid 2-1 on aggregate after a thrilling tie.
It was heartbreaking for last season’s shock 5,000-1 Premier League champs, who were left to rue Antoine Griezmann’s disputed penalty from the 1-0 first leg loss.
But Leicester stars, such as Jamie Vardy , Riyad Mahrez and Kasper Schmeichel, all enhanced their reputations in the memorable run to the last eight.
Vardy (top right) equalised to make the second leg 1-1 at a noisy King Power in a superb display against one of Europe’s best defences.
It left Leicester’s key men admitting afterwards they are desperate to get back into Europe.
But, with the club 12th in the Premier League, it won’t be next term, after their poor domestic form until February cost Claudio Ranieri his job.
Morgan (below) said: “We’re not in the running for the title again and we’re out of the Champions League, so the ride is over.
“But I know everyone loves it here and we’re a family, so I’m sure everyone wants to stay. “This season has been more downs than ups, but I feel we’ve turned it around and we’re coming good now.
“If we had shown the same form all season that we’ve shown of late, we could have been in a Champions League spot again. It has been an incredible journey this season. “I’m not sure who thought we could get this far, but we believed in ourselves. To get all the way through to the quarter-finals in our Champions League debut season is a massive achievement.
“We can leave the competition with our heads held high – we’re proud of what we’ve done.
“There are still plenty of league games to go now, we want to climb the table and finish on a high note.
“Then, next season, we need to dust ourselves off and look forward again.” As City’s stars savoured a standing ovation from the home fans after their exit, it left them convinced they can more than hold their own in Europe.
Midfielder Danny Drinkwater admitted: “Now we’ve had a taste of it, we want more – there’s nothing for us to be scared of.
“Atletico Madrid are a big force in Europe and we pushed them all the way.
“Looking back now, the penalty in the first leg does hurt, but you just have to get on with it.”
Leicester’s efforts earned plenty of respect from their opponents, including the visitors’ tough Argentine boss Diego Simeone.
He was straight on to the pitch at the final whistle to commiserate with Shakespeare’s men individually.
Drinkwater’s midfielder partner Wilfred Ndidi said: “Simeone spoke to me afterwards and was like, ‘Great game, great fight’, because we did well.
“It meant a lot and it was a privilege for us.
“We battled and I’ve not known a team like Leicester before – we are something special.
“We are not in Europe next season, so we must fight with everything to get back there.”