Citation :
Andy Johnson has no intention of quitting Crystal Palace, even if the club are ultimately relegated this season.
The former Birmingham marksman has enjoyed a splendid first term in the top flight, bagging 18 goals to date.
His exploits have earned him international recognition with England, and also seen him become a target for some of the division's biggest sides.
Newcastle and Liverpool have both been linked with summer moves for the 24-year-old, but Johnson is adamant he will stay to help the club try and regain their Premiership status if relegation becomes a reality having signed a five-year deal at the start of the campaign.
"If we down I'm not going to walk out on all the boys I've been friends with all these years," he declared.
"The boys have been integral to my success and I dedicate all my goals to them.
"It is a pleasure to be linked with clubs like Newcastle and Liverpool and it just shows that I must be doing something right.
"But I'm dedicated to Palace. It's the place where I want to be and where I'm scoring my goals.
"I knew when I signed my five-year deal at the start of the season that if I scored 20 goals and became noticed I was still saying for five years. It's not a matter of 'if we go down I'm going to leave the club'. That's not how I think.
"If we go down I want to be the player to get the club back up. I'm not a big-time Charlie.
"I'm always ambitious and always want to play for England.
"Of course being in the Championship might not give me as good a chance but I have dedicated myself to the club.
"I want to stay and if we are down, I will still want to play for England, so it will be up to me to get the club promoted as soon as possible."
|