Planet Swans ArchivesThe Swansea City captain also paid tribute to recently retired Manchester United defender Gary Neville with whom he spent some time playing with during his time at Old Trafford.
Tate draws some similarities between himself and Neville on their passion for their clubs and wants to be part of a Swansea side that could create history by completing a league double on Sunday.
Tate told the Western Mail “He (Neville) loves the club he plays for like I love the club I play for. There’s nothing wrong with that
“You see some people who kiss the badge or give it to the other side’s supporters, but it doesn’t mean a thing to them – they do it for attention.
“Anyone who knows me knows that’s not the case with me. It’s because I love the club, I love the city and it means more for me to beat Cardiff than anyone.
“I spent some time at United with him and he just brought pure passion for the club,” said Tate of Neville’s status as a role model.
“You knew come a Saturday if anyone was give their all for the shirt it was him. Maybe that’s what our fans see in me.
“Gary will probably tell you himself that he was never the best player at United and I wouldn’t say I’m the best player here. But, out of everyone, I know I give 100 per cent.
“Don’t get me wrong, Gary was a good player, if not the best one, and he was a player you could look up to and see that if you give 100 per cent that’s where it could take you.
“He had a brilliant career, one I’m sure he wouldn’t swap for anyone’s, and if people want to make comparisons with me that’s great. I’ll take it as a huge compliment.”
Looking ahead to Sunday’s clash, Tate added “It’s a great game, the one you look forward to most
“And it just so happens it’s also a big one in terms of where we both are in the table.
“It’s not going to define whether we go up or not, but it’s still a huge game, probably the biggest in history given where the clubs are.
“Yes, it’s just three points – but no way is it just another game.
“Even if people say that, perhaps they don’t really think it and I’m sure Cardiff know what it’s all about by now.
“A lot of their players have been there long enough to understand it.
“Cardiff are a good team with good players,” he said. “There’s no denying they’ve got a squad that’s more than capable of going up. Just look at the players they’ve got – Bellamy, Michael Chopra, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas and Aaron Ramsey, while Jason Koumas can’t even get a game.
“Look at the kind of wages needed to bring that in and it’s ridiculous we’re even competing with them.
“But that’s what we’re doing against a lot of sides who have spent a lot more money than us.
“We will just concentrate on ourselves and what we do because we know about the history and I’m well aware no team has done the double in a season. It’s a great chance for us and it’s in our hands.”
