Nicky Shorey told: Stop taking first team football for granted
MARTIN O’Neill has told Nicky Shorey to stop taking first-team football for granted and use Stiliyan Petrov as his inspiration for claret and blue redemption.
O’Neill has been impressed with the way the left-back has knuckled down since his desire to leave Villa Park failed to result in a transfer last month.
The Villa boss praised Shorey’s performances after rare run-outs against Doncaster in the FA Cup and CSKA Moscow in the UEFA Cup.
But the diminutive defender has been warned that he cannot expect to walk straight back into the team and should follow the lead of the rejuvenated Petrov.
Villa’s Bulgarian midfielder has won over the doubters this season and finally justified O’Neill’s decision to bring him from Celtic two-and-a-half years ago.
