Ranieri: We Go For The Title

- The Foxes boss expressed his delight after they qualified for next season’s UEFA Champions League group stages 

- City host Swansea City in the Premier League at King Power Stadium on Sunday 

After Leicester City secured a spot in next season’s UEFA Champions League group stages, manager Claudio Ranieri says his side will now fight to win the Barclays Premier League title. 

The Foxes have the chance to move eight points clear at the Premier League summit with a victory over Swansea City at King Power Stadium on Sunday, with second-placed Tottenham Hotspur not playing until Monday evening. 

The confirmation of Champions League group stage football next term – secured after Manchester City drew at Newcastle United on Tuesday – has been labelled as a fantastic achievement by Ranieri, and now the City boss has set his sights on winning the Premier League. 

Ranieri said of European qualification: “We’re in the Champions League, man. Dilly ding, dilly dong! It’s fantastic, terrific, well done to everybody – the owners, the fans, the players, the staff – everybody is involved. 

“It’s a great achievement – unbelievable. Now, we go straight away to try to win the title. Only this remains. 

“The [Champions League] music is fantastic! Everybody is happy. It’s good because it’s a big achievement for Leicester, for the fans. 

“Big teams will arrive here with a big challenge. It’s a great achievement and I’m very proud. I’m very happy.” 

Ranieri set his side a target of amassing 79 points at the turn of the year and while that will certainly be an impressive haul, the Italian feels they will need more if they wish to become 2015/16 Premier League champions. 

He added: “I have 79 points, but that’s not enough. Now we have to fight more now. I told to my players come on, now is the right moment to push. 

“I always believe, I’m a positive man. If Tottenham go over us, congratulations. But I prefer to stay five points above. If we win the title, it’s unbelievable.”