Neville's European Dream

Skipper says Cup win would be perfect route on to the continent.

Phil Neville is on a personal crusade to get Everton back into Europe - and says winning the FA Cup would be the perfect way to do it.

David Moyes' men haven't ventured on to the continent since suffering defeat against Sporting Lisbon in the last 32 of the Europa League two years ago.

But with just two games separating the Toffees and a Wembley final, Neville can see the gateway to a European return creaking ajar.

The Blues secured their passage into the last eight of the FA Cup with victory over Blackpool on Saturday and will now face Sunderland for a place in April’s semi-finals. 

"We've not been in Europe now for two seasons and I want European football," Neville told evertontv. "I've not got long left in my career and it's still one of the ambitions that I've got.

"Yes, I want to win a trophy with Everton but I also want to play in Europe with Everton again because we've had some unbelievable European nights at Goodison Park.
 
"I want to play in Europe and so do the rest of the team. We've got a young, ambitious team, we've got a manager who's so ambitious it's unbelievable, and European football is part of the ambition of this Club.

"Part of the history of the Club is winning and playing well in Europe and the FA Cup is probably our best opportunity of getting there."