Keane under no pressure from Quinn

NEWS:WHILE HE may be in no hurry to tie manager Roy Keane down to a new contract, Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn knows the club needs to sign quality players this summer if they are to progress this coming season.

West Ham yesterday turned down an improved €5.75 million bid for Northern Ireland international defender George McCartney, a former Sunderland captain, while Keane continues his quest for other transfer targets, Everton striker Andy Johnson and Reading's Republic of Ireland international midfielder Stephen Hunt among them.

"It's actually something that Roy and I don't talk about as much as perhaps the media or other people," said Quinn regarding Keane's contract.

"Roy has been away a lot with his coaching course, but the players are back soon and as the whole thing gets going again, I'm sure we will sort that out.

"It's not an issue that has faltered - it has not even got going. But the great thing about Roy Keane and this situation is that there is trust in the air between us. There's a year left on his deal and we actually respect contracts at our level."

Keane signed 10 players for a total of €50 million last summer, but has yet to get one target in so far this close season.

"We're still working hard behind the scenes. We're trying to add quality to the squad," said Quinn in Dublin yesterday.

"Our team was good enough to stay up last year, now we want to kick on a bit. We're looking at a few areas for players that we might get and it's very hard.

"It's of no benefit to us to name anybody until their foot has gone over the line. It's work in progress. I just get the feeling now that it will all fall into place over the next week or two."

Quinn feels that after a year of consolidation in the Premier League and with the big crowds Sunderland are getting, they are a better attraction for quality players.

He also confirmed he has the full backing of club owners Drumaville in any transfer negotiations. "The guys know what we need and they are prepared to back it, which is fantastic," said Quinn.

"We just have to make sure we get the right players as they have four or five options and we just have to make sure they choose Sunderland.

"I believe the next stage is for our fans to walk to a game on a Saturday and not be worrying about relegation every weekend because that's the way last season was.

"If we can take that next step and move up to where the West Hams of this world are, and the comfort zone that they had, then we need quality to do that.

"The only target I'll talk about is that our fans have an enjoyable year and enjoy the Premiership because I think they had no nails left last time round - neither did I.

"To get them to enjoy it and see their club making progress and if that means shooting off up the league, great, I'll take it. But if the reality means we're a comfortable Premiership team and we can feel good about ourselves all year then that would be great too.

"After that, breaking into the top half of the league is the aim.

"We don't dream here, we aim, and there's no point in aiming too high, too early. We have got to build more solidly."

Seeing Keane, who's now got his Uefa Pro licence, improve as a manager is another of Quinn's expectations.

"It's great. We can't tell him anything, he knows it all, now," joked Quinn. "He's actually got written proof to back it up. His development as a manager has been first class. He's a far more rounded manager now.

"He's had his year in the Championship and was very successful. He's had a tough year in the Premiership which he came through with flying colours. Now he has a certificate to show us all that he's the goods.

"What it means for him is that it's tailor-made for him to kick on and make the next step up and progress.

"He's been superb for us. He surprised many people with his application to the job and his mannerisms as a manager and the public perception of him as a manger and it's great news for Sunderland.

"We'll get the little bit of quality in for him now, please God, and keep improving the structures for him and see how good a manager we can make him."