Scharner wants European spot

24 March 2009 12:37
Paul Scharner has suggested qualification for Europe is likely to convince him that his future lies at Wigan Athletic. The Latics are pushing for a spot in next season's Europa League and moved up to seventh in the Premier League after Sunday's 1-0 win over Hull City. Weekend match-winner Ben Watson says the players are not getting carried away by talk of a European spot, but it is something his team-mate Scharner is keen to achieve. The Austrian, who has been playing in midfield of late, admits the chance to play European football could have a big bearing on his future. "If we get a European slot, maybe there is no hassle of changing anything," Scharner told the Wigan Evening Post. "I'm now 29 and have to take the next step. I want to play in Europe again, as I played a couple of games for Austria Vienna when I was younger. "I think it is a motivation for every player to play in Europe. We are seventh now in the table with 41 points, and I'm very confident we can finish in our best ever position. He added: "How long have we been in the top half of the table now? Quite a long time. "I know it is a close league, but I never got the feeling we would drop down towards the relegation positions. "Now we've got to push on in the last eight games and see what we can achieve."

Source: SKY_Sports