Source: Northern_Echo
Mignolet aims to be Cats' number one
PROMISING young goalkeeper Simon Mignolet is hoping to establish himself in the Belgium national squad but insists his priority is to gain the number one jersey at Sunderland.[LNB] The 22-year-old made his first Premier League start since December in Saturdays defeat to Everton, replacing the injured Craig Gordon.[LNB] Mignolet was signed in the summer as cover to Gordon, but when the Scotland international suffered a broken arm in pre-season, Black Cats boss Steve Bruce was forced to throw the young keeper straight into Premier League action.[LNB] And despite only just arriving on Wearside, Mignolet impressed with a string of eye-catching performances, keeping seven clean sheets in his 16 appearances this season.[LNB] As expected, Mignolet returned to the bench when Gordon recovered before Christmas, but the former St. Truiden stopper admits he didn't expect to play as much first-team football in his debut season in England's top-flight.[LNB] "I wasn't expecting to play as much football as I have," Mignolet said.[LNB] "I didn't come here to go straight in but after the first run of games I had I knew I could do it and I knew I was capable of playing in the first team.[LNB] "In the beginning I was nervous, I didn't know what to expect, but after a couple of weeks and games you can know what you're capable of and you know what the Premier League is.[LNB] "I've tried to progress myself as much as I can and I have tried to learn from Craig and from the goalkeeping coach, Spinksy.[LNB] "When you come back in the team it's always a good feeling. On the other hand the result was not so good and that's the main thing in the end.[LNB] "It was disappointing but I was happy to be back in the team. My personal performance wasn't too bad so I was happy and we'll see what happens for the next game.[LNB] "Now I'm back in the team, I hope to keep going and do the best as I can.[LNB] Mignolet's performances for Sunderland have also seen him rewarded with a call-up to the Belgium squad, but the 22-year-old insists his main focus is securing a regular place for his club first.[LNB] Mignolet has also earned plenty of praise from the man he is in competition with and now he is back in the team, Mignolet knows he will have to impress if he is to keep his place when Gordon returns from injury.[LNB] "The last couple of games I was in the Belgium squad," Mignolet said.[LNB] "I was third choice and second choice last time and we'll see what happens in the future.[LNB] "I don't think that's the main thing now for me. The first thing I have to do is try and play for Sunderland Football Club as much as I can and then afterwards that will follow but you have to be playing first-team football for your club.[LNB] "If I can, I would like to be here for many years but that depends on my performances on the pitch and then we'll see.[LNB] "It's the aim to get the number one jersey. If you're playing in the team and you can establish yourself in the first team then other things will follow like the national team.[LNB] "We try to do our best in training and there is a competition between us in training.[LNB] "You just have to work as hard as you can and we'll both get better by training and having that competition.[LNB] "You have to perform in games because you know there is someone behind you and if you're not performing well someone is there to take over, therefore you have to be focused and be prepared every single game."[LNB]
