Maik Taylor has revealed why he knocked back the advances of Liverpool in order to stay in the Championship with newly-relegated Birmingham City.
Liverpool's shock swoop for Maik Taylor has been rebuffed by the player, with the veteran re-signing with relegated Birmingham till 2010.
Rafa Benitez wanted the 36-year-old Northern Ireland international as cover for Pepe Reina and hoped experienced Taylor would move back to the Premiership in a Bosman deal.
However, Taylor has revealed that first-team football, his settled family and good relationship with Blues boss Alex McLeish prompted him to resist the Red' "flattering" advances.
Taylor told the Birmingham Mail: "With an offer on the table from the club, it was always going to be the case that I would stay really.
"It was flattering that Liverpool showed a lot of interest and of course I gave it some serious consideration.
"Liverpool could offer the Champions League and everything else, but it would have been a situation as a No.2 - a year’s contract as well.
"Scott Carson has gone back there now. There was talk of him going to Villa after his loan, but that has not materialized.
"I still have a big desire to play and, as long as I keep my form and fitness, that’s more likely here.
"I enjoy playing for Birmingham and although obviously it was tremendously disappointing to get relegated, I am really optimistic about the future and looking forward to the new season.
"I was really pleased with the way the manager and [goalkeeping coach] Dave Watson were with me. Straight after our last game against Blackburn Rovers, they said they wanted to offer me a new deal"
Taylor added that his family was "really settled" in the area and that Everton and Stoke City had also made enquiries about his availability.
Liverpool's shock swoop for Maik Taylor has been rebuffed by the player, with the veteran re-signing with relegated Birmingham till 2010.
Rafa Benitez wanted the 36-year-old Northern Ireland international as cover for Pepe Reina and hoped experienced Taylor would move back to the Premiership in a Bosman deal.
However, Taylor has revealed that first-team football, his settled family and good relationship with Blues boss Alex McLeish prompted him to resist the Red' "flattering" advances.
Taylor told the Birmingham Mail: "With an offer on the table from the club, it was always going to be the case that I would stay really.
"It was flattering that Liverpool showed a lot of interest and of course I gave it some serious consideration.
"Liverpool could offer the Champions League and everything else, but it would have been a situation as a No.2 - a year’s contract as well.
"Scott Carson has gone back there now. There was talk of him going to Villa after his loan, but that has not materialized.
"I still have a big desire to play and, as long as I keep my form and fitness, that’s more likely here.
"I enjoy playing for Birmingham and although obviously it was tremendously disappointing to get relegated, I am really optimistic about the future and looking forward to the new season.
"I was really pleased with the way the manager and [goalkeeping coach] Dave Watson were with me. Straight after our last game against Blackburn Rovers, they said they wanted to offer me a new deal"
Taylor added that his family was "really settled" in the area and that Everton and Stoke City had also made enquiries about his availability.
No comments:
Post a Comment