Craig Gardner thinks a lot of his Carling Cup winners medal that he picked up with Birmingham City this season. But he would gladly hand it back to ensure Premier League survival.
Blues travel to Tottenham for the final game of the season and they know they are deep in trouble and really need a win to make sure they will be in the same league next season.
At Wembley earlier this season it didn`t look like City were going to be in too much trouble at the bottom of the league and they certainly looked good enough to play themselves out of any situation they looked to be heading for.
But just a couple of months later, just goal difference is the only thing keeping the team out of the drop zone and even the most optimistic fan would be hoping that there is help coming forward from the other games at the bottom of the table.
Gardner has been one of, if not, the best player to pull on a City shirt this season and his nine strikes on goal put him at the top of the goal scorers chart and he knows this is one of the most important games of his career, certainly his Birmingham career.
He told Sky Sports: ‘It’s a massive game. Everyone wants to play in the Premier League.
‘The Carling Cup win was fantastic and it’s something we will never forget. To lift a trophy for the fans and the club after so long was fantastic.
‘But this game is our career, it’s bigger than the cup final and we need to go out there and give it every single ounce for this club.
‘On a personal level this has been my first full season at Premier League level and it’s been a great season for me.
‘But I’d give up every single goal now just to stay in the league. In fact, I’d give my winners’ medal back to stay in the league.
‘If we end up in the Championship next season, it’s a failed season for me.
‘We owe it the fans, we owe it the gaffer (Alex McLeish ). Everyone owes it each other to go out there and put a performance on.’
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