Source: Northern_Echo
Mignolet relishing his stint in the big time
SUNDERLAND goalkeeper Simon Mignolet may not be Steve Bruce's first choice when Craig Gordon returns to the side, but the Belgian admitted that he is living the dream.[LNB] Six months ago, Mignolet was at Standard Liege, watching the English Premier League on television, with the likes of Anfield, the Emirates and Old Trafford a million miles away.[LNB] But the 21-year-old will start today at Anfield, and while he readily admits that playing there will be fairytale stuff, the stopper, who has put in a string of impressive performances since his summer signing, will not be overawed by the occasion.[LNB] He said: It's been going well let's hope it stays like that for at least a couple more games.[LNB] Even when I was playing badly, I can't be disappointed because I am now playing in the English Premier League and I have to thank Sunderland Football Club for giving me that opportunity.[LNB] I watch the games when Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United are on television.[LNB] I am living by myself at the moment, so I am happy when there is football on the television because otherwise I have to watch some silly English comedy shows.[LNB] I've already played against Manchester City and Arsenal, but even playing against Birmingham, West Bromwich Albion and Wigan is such a huge experience for me. I can't imagine I am already playing in the Premier League.[LNB] It was great to play against Arsenal and I can't wait to play against Liverpool and Manchester United.[LNB] When Mignolet signed for Sunderland, his eyes will have been drawn to the consecutive fixtures against Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United.[LNB] By 4.50pm today, Sunderland will be two-thirds into their assault on the top teams and Mignolet is confident of repeating their strong performance against Arsenal seven days ago.[LNB] He said: At the start of the season, I said those three games will be huge. We are playing against some of the biggest teams in Europe. We will have to match them, but we have already shown we have a huge chance to get some points.[LNB] With seven games under his belt in English football, Mignolet is up against arguably the finest goalkeeper in England today. It is a challenge which the young Belgian is relishing.[LNB] I'm obviously going to see things from a goalkeeping point of view, so when I think of Liverpool, I think of Pepe Reina.[LNB] I won't talk to Reina afterwards.[LNB] I will just be friendly. I know he is a superstar, but they are all people and they only have two legs and two arms as well.[LNB]
