Dwight McNeil has been speaking about life under David Moyes
Manager David Moyes talks to Dwight McNeil during a Everton training session at Goodison Park
Manager David Moyes talks to Dwight McNeil during a Everton training session at Goodison Park
(Image: Tony McArdle /Everton FC Official Photography Library/SmartFrame)
Dwight McNeil admits he has been inspired by the ambitions of David Moyes as he also spoke of his excitement at playing at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. The Blues enjoyed an impressive run of results after Moyes returned to the club in January, eventually finishing 23 points clear of the bottom three.
During his first spell as Everton boss – which included more than 500 matches – Moyes had the club regularly qualifying for Europe, as well as reaching the FA Cup final in 2009. And the Scot has been vocal in saying he wants to get the Blues back into a position in which they are challenging for European football.
Such ambitions have impressed McNeil, who admitted: "The manager has been great. He's very ambitious in where he sees the club and where he wants to take the club, which is good, because that's what I want to be part of.
"He works us hard every day and wants us to be better, which is how it should be. Everton is a massive club – we need to show that and next season everyone wants to push on."
A move to the Hill Dickinson Stadium this summer now offers the club a chance to reset after a rollercoaster couple of years which have been beset by infighting between supporters and the former ownership and poor results on the pitch.
The Blues confirmed last week that their new home had opened for business, with their next game at their waterfront venue coming against AS Roma on Saturday, August 9.
"It's really exciting," McNeil said on the move. "It's our new home and I'm looking forward to getting in there and starting this new chapter for the club.
"I think it's going to be a massive step up for the club going forward with the ambition it's got and this is the perfect place for it.
"It's going to be amazing to play there. Nothing will be like Goodison with the way it was, with the stands shaking when it really got going, but it's going to be a different experience and one I'm really looking forward to.
"I was down there recently and, straight away, the South Stand strikes you, with how steep it is and how big it is.
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"It's a beautiful stadium and you know it will be bouncing when it's packed out. It's going to be a big transition for us and we want to make it feel like home as soon as possible."
McNeil endured a frustrating campaign last season, with a knee injury keeping him out for five months.
The experience was something new for the winger, who admitted: “It was a tough time, being out for five months with an injury, so it was difficult for me personally.
“I've never been out for that length of time before with an injury so it was a new one to me. I found myself bored not being able to play, but I'm really happy that's behind me now and I can look forward to the start of pre-season.
"It's the mental challenge of being injured that's tough. You're in every day and you see the lads but not as much because you'll be on a different schedule.
“You'll be in the treatment room while they're out training, or having to watch the games on TV at home after my surgery – it's difficult not being able to help out. You feel close to it but not in it."