Giroud: 'We want to be champions'
02/04/2012
Montpellier Hérault SC striker Olivier Giroud has admitted the south-westerners are secretly dreaming of bringing home the Ligue 1 title this season.
René Girard's men head the table on goal difference from Paris Saint-Germain and have a game in hand on the club from the capital with just a handful of games remaining in the campaign - and the squad are finding it hard to keep their excitement in check.
"We stay cautious in front of the cameras, but of course we're thinking about it," said Giroud, whose league-high 18 goals have contributed significantly to his side shocking many a pundit with their unexpected title tilt. "When I talk to people from other cities, they tell me they thought we were going to crack. But the more it goes on, the more people see us as being capable of causing Paris a problem. We mustn't get carried away, but the squad's mature enough to handle it."
'I'm the same'
Montpellier's move into centre stage this season has mirrored that of Giroud, who has built on his solid first campaign at Montpellier with a spectacular second. The 25-year-old's exploits in front of goal have earned him international recognition and seen him courted by a number of clubs around Europe, but the ex-Tours forward feels fame has not changed him.
"You've got to take it in your stride, and handle the media hype. I'm still the same player, the same man. I step back from it all, but I'm happy to have this status as I've worked hard to attain it," said Giroud, who has been tipped to leave the club next summer. "It's touching the supporters want me to stay. It means that you've made a difference to them. I have a lot of good memories here. I've not gone anywhere yet, but I don't feel comfortable talking about it right now."