Developing Leicester Delight Khun Top, Says Rodgers

- Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers spoke to Chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha after Sunday’s victory over Southampton
- The Foxes beat the Saints 1-0 at Wembley Stadium as Kelechi Iheanacho bagged the winner in the Emirates FA Cup Semi-Final
- Rodgers says he spoke to a ‘delighted’ Khun Top after the match

City’s 1-0 semi-final triumph over Southampton secured a final berth for the first time since 1969, as Nigeria star Kelechi Iheanacho netted the winner 10 minutes into the second half.

Rodgers said at full-time: “I’ve just spoken to Top there and he’s absolutely over the moon with getting to the final, and of course for the supporters.

“You guys (the media) have made me fully aware of the importance of this and I’ve always tried to respect that.

“We’re in the final in a month’s time and we have the opportunity to lift it (the trophy) for the very first time.

“He was absolutely delighted. He looked very, very happy. Of course, it’s the early hours of the morning as well, so he’s been up all night.

“I’m just so pleased for him. He’s an incredible guy who’s suffered in these last few years, so to give him that joy and be able to get to the final, I’m very happy to be able to do that for him.”

For Rodgers, he will be honoured to manage his side at Wembley Stadium in the final next month and knows the Foxes have learned a great deal from their League Cup Semi-Final exit at the hands of Aston Villa last campaign.

“Obviously, it’s going to be a privilege to lead the team out to the final,” he said. “In terms of the performance, I felt we deserved it. It was always going to be a tight game.

“We were going to have to defend well, and I felt we did that. We developed, we started to find more space and we looked a real threat going forward.

“I’m delighted for the players because they’ve showed that they’re constantly learning. I said to them last year after the semi-final loss that failure is an actual integral part of succeeding.

“Even though it’s tough and it’s difficult, we’ve got to take it and learn from it. You saw today that the performance was very composed and mature, and we got the goal that counted. I’m delighted for them and I’m delighted for the Club.”