' Cardiff City ‘Viking’ midfielder is Determined '

I rated Gunnarson from day one Funny another City player that Slade did not want, but Gunnarson has proven once again he the type of player we need

Cardiff City ‘Viking’ midfielder is Determined


ByGIB Football

Saturday December 12, 2015



Cardiff City midfielder Aron Gunnarsson is evoking his Viking spirit to ensure he has a successful season on two fronts.

The first challenge is to help Russell Slade’s Bluebirds keep their play-off place in the Championship with a win over Sheffield Wednesday in the Welsh capital today and help them on the path to Premier League promotion.

Then the 26-year-old will sit down and watch the draw for Euro 2016 and see who the nation he skippers, Iceland, will come up against in France next summer.

Iceland became the smallest nation ever to qualify for the tournament and Gunnarsson is rightly proud of the achievement, but he admits he has been worried that a lack of pitch time for Cardiff earlier this season might have hampered his international chances.

But now, back anchoring the Bluebirds’ midfield along-side rising star Joe Ralls, and back in top form too, he is more than ready to fight for both club and country.

“I would like to think I would always be in the Iceland squad, I am skipper, but obviously it is something that gets in your head a bit,” said Gunnarsson.

“I did start to doubt myself and my ability but that is normal, that is how any person would feel in that situation. It is just how you react and tackle it. The manager was great in giving me pointers in terms of what I needed to do and he is a busy man like that sometimes. Lot’s of people are knocking on his door

“Now I am in the side I feel I am playing well and I want to stay there and go to the Euros on the back of helping Cardiff get promoted. That is my aim.”

Like Wales, who qualified under boss Chris Coleman, Lars Lagerback’s Iceland, will look on with deep interest this evening as the Euro draw is held in Paris.

Gunnarsson insists he does not mind what nations he and his compatriots might have to play next summer, expecting a tough time in France as they line-up against the footballing giants of Europe. Indeed Gunnarsson is already set to take rather laid back approach to the whole Euro hype.

“I’ll sit down and have a cup of coffee after we have played against Sheffield Wednesday and see who we get,” added Gunnarsson.

“It’s definitely something to be very excited about and we know that whatever happens it is going to be tough. Wales are in the same position as us, being in the fourth pot, and that means you will definitely have to face two good teams.

“Even the third pot has some strong teams in it, like Sweden. It is hard but there is not anything in particular we are scared of or want to avoid.

“No matter who we play, you know we are going to go there and give it our all. That is how Icelandic people are. We are proud Vikings and we go for it. We don’t care who we play against.”

You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.

Cardiff City midfielder Aron Gunnarsson ready to fight for club and country

12 DEC 2015

BY CHRIS PYKE

The Iceland captain will be watching the Euro 2016 draw after playing in the Bluebirds side against Sheffield Wednesday as they push for Premier League promotion


Aron Gunnarsson says he never dreamt Iceland would qualify for a major tournamentAron Gunnarsson says he never dreamt Iceland would qualify for a major tournament

Cardiff City midfielder Aron Gunnarsson is evoking his Viking spirit to ensure he has a successful season on two fronts.

The first challenge is to help Russell Slade’s Bluebirds keep their play-off place in the Championship with a win over Sheffield Wednesday in the Welsh capital today and help them on the path to Premier League promotion.

Then the 26-year-old will sit down and watch the draw for Euro 2016 and see who the nation he skippers, Iceland, will come up against in France next summer.

Iceland became the smallest nation ever to qualify for the tournament and Gunnarsson is rightly proud of the achievement, but he admits he has been worried that a lack of pitch time for Cardiff earlier this season might have hampered his international chances.

But now, back anchoring the Bluebirds’ midfield along-side rising star Joe Ralls, and back in top form too, he is more than ready to fight for both club and country.

“I would like to think I would always be in the Iceland squad, I am skipper, but obviously it is something that gets in your head a bit,” said Gunnarsson.

“I did start to doubt myself and my ability but that is normal, that is how any person would feel in that situation. It is just how you react and tackle it. The manager was great in giving me pointers in terms of what I needed to do and he is a busy man like that sometimes. Lot’s of people are knocking on his door

“Now I am in the side I feel I am playing well and I want to stay there and go to the Euros on the back of helping Cardiff get promoted. That is my aim.”

Like Wales, who qualified under boss Chris Coleman, Lars Lagerback’s Iceland, will look on with deep interest this evening as the Euro draw is held in Paris.

Gunnarsson insists he does not mind what nations he and his compatriots might have to play next summer, expecting a tough time in France as they line-up against the footballing giants of Europe. Indeed Gunnarsson is already set to take rather laid back approach to the whole Euro hype.

“I’ll sit down and have a cup of coffee after we have played against Sheffield Wednesday and see who we get,” added Gunnarsson.

“It’s definitely something to be very excited about and we know that whatever happens it is going to be tough. Wales are in the same position as us, being in the fourth pot, and that means you will definitely have to face two good teams.

“Even the third pot has some strong teams in it, like Sweden. It is hard but there is not anything in particular we are scared of or want to avoid.

“No matter who we play, you know we are going to go there and give it our all. That is how Icelandic people are. We are proud Vikings and we go for it. We don’t care who we play against.”

Him and Ralls are forming a decent partnership.

I rated Gunnarson from day one Funny another City player that Slade did not want.

“I did start to doubt myself and my ability but that is normal, that is how any person would feel in that situation. It is just how you react and tackle it. The manager was great in giving me pointers in terms of what I needed to do and he is a busy man like that sometimes. Lot’s of people are knocking on his door.

Sounds like Slade doing his job here.A great endorsement of the managers ability by someone who knows better than most on here.Funny but I must have missed the Quote by Slade that Gunner was not wanted.

They are performing well together.

Shame it takes an injury or suspension to make changes happen

A true City stalwart, captain for his country and should be captain for his club

A true City stalwart, captain for his country and should be captain for his club

Totally agree with that mate - a born leader

He's playing very well at the moment but personally I would prefer Dikajoi as he is yet to be dominated this season.

Whatever people's views it nice to have such competition!

Struggles on quick pitches because he is not technically very good, but in the winter his heart, strength and determination come to the fore. Less likely to receive a pass from Joe than Whitts so again this doesn't put him on the back foot.The difference in philosophy has helped him.

Since he has come back we have let goals in for fun though, not sure if it is the absence of Dikgachio or Whitts

Love his determination and fight also a great talker on the pitch

He is a captain.

He is a captain.

And a much better player technically than some give him credit for. One of the first names on the teamsheet for me!

He is a captain.

And a much better player technically than some give him credit for. One of the first names on the teamsheet for me!