June 2 2013

Damien Delaney

Damien Delaney reckons the spirit in the squad will give Crystal Palace a vital boost for surviving next season in the Premier League.

"People are going to say we are going to need to sign players, but I'll tell you what, team spirit will take you a hell of a long way," the 31-year-old defender said.

"You look at the likes of the teams who have gone up, Swansea, Norwich, Southampton - they all went up and stayed up, and they didn't spend millions. They bought astutely and they kept the nucleus and the team spirit, which is what we have.

"What we are built on, to be honest with you, at Palace is that type of team spirit, that togetherness and the genuine friendship we have. If we can keep the basis of that and add to it, then the sky is the limit for us."

Delaney left Palace's Wembley promotion party early so he could join up with the Republic of Ireland squad the next day. The Cork man played in his country's 4-0 victory over Georgia last night (Sunday).

He said: "I didn't get to celebrate at all. I got a text to be at Luton at 3pm on the Tuesday to meet up with the Irish squad.

"I went back to the hotel after the game where there was a party and about 11.30pm I got the tube home and I watched the NBA game that was on.

"I then went to breakfast with my family the next day - that is who you want to celebrate with. There will be plenty of time for celebrations."