Manchester City star Stephen Ireland is delighted with the club’s summer spending and despite the added pressure new faces bring, the young Republic of Ireland international is already relishing the challenge.  

Ireland told the Sun: “What has happened this summer is really exciting and the squad is going to be a lot stronger.”

“Players are going to have to be flexible and that is great.”

 

“There will be a big fight to get into that first team of the season and that is my immediate aim.”

“Then I'll try to play so well that the manager can never think of leaving me out.”

Ireland is delighted with the signing of former Aston Villa captain Gareth Barry, a player Ireland has always admired.

He added: “Gareth Barry is a very shrewd and clever signing by the manager. He is a top-class all-round midfielder who will give us more balance.”

 

“Gareth knows his way around the Premier League and you know exactly what you will get from him.”

 

“The great thing about Gareth and Roque, who is another crucial addition, is that they are players who are in their prime.”

 

“They are experienced but not on the way down and we have got them at just the right time.”

 

In addition to Barry, Manchester City have also added Blackburn striker Roque Santa Cruz to the squad, and Ireland believes he will be a great addition to the club.

He continued: “Roque will help us vary our attacks more. He puts himself about and is a proper target man who also scores goals.”

 

“He has always struck me as someone who is easy to play off because he holds the ball well and reads the game cleverly.”