Doherty denies City interest

Last updated : 23 December 2002 By Michael Morris
Tottenham Hotspur's Gary Doherty insists he is happy to fight for a first-team place rather than seek a move away from White Hart Lane.

The versatile Republic of Ireland international has been linked with Second Division Cardiff, but Doherty distanced himself from those newspaper reports.

Doherty challenges Diego Forlan
"I haven't heard anything about it," Doherty told BBC Sport Online of Cardiff's reported interested.

"Neither has my agent and nor has the club. If it was a bit more concrete I would have more of an opinion about it.

"I'm quite enjoying it at Spurs, even if I'm only playing in the reserves at the moment.

"I'm contracted to Tottenham and I'm fighting for my place and until I hear otherwise I'll continue doing that. Football is a strange game in that things can change very quickly.

"If I'm not in Glenn Hoddle's plans then I would have to see, but we haven't had any chats about my future."

Doherty has struggled to win a regular first-team place after breaking his leg and dislocating his ankle in a Worthington Cup tie against Torquay last season.

The Irishman also paid tribute to Hoddle's influence, since the former England coach took over from George Graham.

"It's probably one of the strongest squads Spurs has had since I joined the club, with a good blend of young and experienced players."

"The key has been that he has brought in some hiqh-quality players like Dean Richards and Jamie Redknapp."

Cardiff manager Lennie Lawrence gave Doherty his start in professional football when he was in charge at Luton Town.

The defender broke into the Hatters first-team at the age of 17 and made more than 80 appearances before making £1m move to Spurs in April 2000.