Reina: I’ll fight to be Milan No 1

Pepe Reina has promised to fight for Milan’s No 1 jersey but warned that the club must only think about ‘growing’.

Reina had been linked with a quick departure from Milan, with Maurizio Sarri’s Chelsea possibly in the market for a new goalkeeper, but the 35-year-old made it clear he was not daunted by the competition at San Siro.

“I respect and admire Gigio, he’s doing very well on a human level,” he said after his side’s 1-0 win against Barcelona on Sunday.

“On a sporting level, I’ll try to learn from him and Antonio and exploit this competition between the three of us so we can do even better.

“Starting place? I’m working to play like everyone is. Gattuso will decide after that, but regardless of everything, my will is to stay at Milan.

“My first month here has gone very well, Gattuso’s hot-blooded and we’re working well with him.

“I’m at a great club on a human level. I’ve also found a group and dressing room of good guys.

“I’ll try to lend a hand in every sense. I have a few years of experience on my shoulders and I hope this can help the rest of the team.

“Higuain’s a very good player, I hope he scores and helps us a lot. Did I intervene in negotiations? Absolutely not, but at the end of it all, Gonzalo called me to ask for some information and I made myself available. I think he’ll settle quickly.

“I think Juventus are still ahead of everyone else, clearly. Talking about the Scudetto for Milan isn’t realistic right now. We have to think about growing.

“The others will have to fight for places in the Champions League, Napoli are a step ahead of the others, then there are Roma, Inter, Lazio, us and Fiorentina.”