JOHN O’Shea has insisted that he will not pressure Sunderland into offering him a new contract amidst recent speculation about his future.
The 33-year-old was linked with a shock £3million move to Tottenham last week, as it is believed that the North London club are interested in signing the centre back to replace Michael Dawson.
The Ireland international, who has one year remaining on his current contract with the Black Cats, admitted that he was surprised by the link to Tottenham.
“It was news to myself,” O’Shea said.
“That’s the way it goes at this time of the year, there is lots of stuff rumoured about players coming and going.
“It’s just one of those things. It’s just total speculation.
“I’m in the game long enough to know that and I’m more than happy with Sunderland.”
O’Shea joined Sunderland in 2011 after a 12 year stint with Manchester United and has been an influential player for the club.
The Black Cats reached the Capital One Cup final in May at Wembley but lost to Man City.
“I definitely want to play on beyond next season,” he told MirrorSport.
“I played around 50 games last season and I‘m fit and well, and long may that continue.
“I’m already looking forward to next season after what was a roller-coaster end to last year.
“But as for my future, that will be down to Sunderland.
“I’ve never forced the issue throughout my career and I’m not about to start now.
“Look, it was great getting to the League Cup final and that was definitely an ambition when I joined Sunderland, to get to a Cup final and obviously to win one.
“It would have been special had we held on that day but unfortunately that brilliant Yaya Toure goal put City back in it before Samir Nasri won it.”
The Waterford man also regards Sunderland’s fight against relegation as one of his great career successes.
“When you look at the points tally we had heading into the final fixtures and how tough those last games were that we had to play, it was a fantastic achievement to stay up.
“We were written off but it’s never over until it’s over, as we showed.
“Hopefully we won’t need to come up with such a strong finish next season.
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