FIXTURE FRENZY GIFT FOR DIGNE

LUCAS DIGNE is bracing himself for a new experience – Christmas football.

The Everton defender has never played over the festive period because his former clubs Lille, Paris Saint-germain, Roma and Barcelona were in leagues that take a winter break.

Yet despite a hectic schedule of four games in 10 days, the France full-back cannot wait for the madness to start against Tottenham today.

“It will be my first time playing on Boxing Day,” said Digne, who with other members of Marco Silva’s squad delivered presents to sick children at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in

Liverpool.

“But I’m very happy to be playing over Christmas.

“Christmas is about spending it with your family – and Everton is my family. For me, it’s perfect because you can play football and then, after, you spend the moment with your family.

“My parents and my brother are coming to England this weekend to stay for the holidays.

“I feel very good. I’ve been available to play every game and the manager has given me a lot of confidence.

“Since I arrived at the club, my teammates have been amazing with me.

“They’ve helped me with my English and to understand everything. When you feel good off the pitch, you can feel good on the pitch.”

His family’s arrival to see him at Goodison Park could not come at a better time, with the 25-year-old flying high after his superb, last-minute free-kick gave Everton a 2-2 draw in their last home game against Watford.

“I didn’t really look at what time it was in the game,” he explained.

“I just said to Richi [Richarlison] that I wanted to take the free-kick because I just felt that I could score. It was a good moment, but I always prefer to win than score.

“If I can score and the team wins, that would be incredible. I always practise free-kicks, all the time with Gylfi [Sigurdsson] and Richi anyway.”

Despite as many draws as wins so far this campaign, Digne believes the team is heading in the right direction under Silva.

“A lot of people will believe in our team because they can see we give everything on the pitch,” he added.

“Every player gives everything for the shirt.

“We are on an unbeaten run at Goodison and need to continue to stay unbeaten.

“We need to win in front of our fans because they have supported us very well all the time. We have an amazing support.”