Raheem Sterling is steeling himself for a tough month ahead for Manchester City

25 September 2016 22:23

Raheem Sterling has made no secret of the fact that unbeaten Manchester City are 'gunning for titles' under Pep Guardiola.

City continue their Champions League campaign against Celtic on Wednesday following a run of six successive Premier League wins - and 10 victories in all competitions - since Guardiola took charge.

Sterling, a revelation this season, and company are four points clear of their closest Premier League rival after his breakaway goal sealed a 3-1 win at Swansea.

But one look at City's October fixture schedule - their games include appointments with Tottenham, Everton, Barcelona and Manchester United across three different competitions - confirms Sterling's theory of keeping matters in perspective.

"We have to just keep humble and keep working hard," England international Sterling said. "We have to remind ourselves it is only September - the season has a lot left in it.

"We have to take it game by game. I know that sounds boring, but that's the way it is.

"It is early to say what we are going to be doing, but we want to be champions. We are gunning for titles, and we need to keep our heads down and keep going step by step.

"This is a team that is forever growing and developing. Those relationships are developing - the team spirit is great in the dressing room, on the pitch. We are fighting for each other, and we need to keep that going.

"We are trying to improve and not relax. That is what the manager is trying to get us to do."

Only Sergio Aguero has scored more Premier League goals for City this season than Sterling, and he added: "That's something I need to keep doing.

"What is going to make me the player I want to be is scoring more goals, being cool in front of goal and scoring as many as I can.

"The manager has told me to enjoy scoring goals and seeing the ball go into the back of the net. The manager gives everyone the confidence, the belief and the motivation to achieve. It has been fantastic."

Next up for Sterling is a reunion with his former Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers, who is now in charge at Celtic, as City look to keep their long unbeaten run going.

"He (Rodgers) was someone who gave me my full chance in the Premier League," Sterling said. "He gave me loads of starts and opportunities, and lots of confidence.

"It will be good to see him again and I wish him well, but on the day it all comes down to winning the game.

"He was massive for me. I try to learn from every manager I work with, and he is a man I definitely learned a lot from.

"He is a fantastic guy. He played me in different positions to help me understand those roles and what it took. He was great."

Guardiola, meanwhile, has vowed there can be no let-up as City edge closer to matching a club record of 12 consecutive victories.

"We are far from where we want to be," Guardiola said. "It would be boring, if we were close!

"It's never-ending in football. You can always be better, individually and collectively. The opponents always create different things, and it's about how we solve that.

"Every game is completely different."

Source: PA