Neilson: I won't see the derby as I'll be at Wembley

Published on Friday 1 April 2011 11:17

WATCHING the Edinburgh derby would normally be top of Robbie Neilson's agenda whatever his location. Yet tomorrow he has a far more pressing engagement at England's national stadium. Brentford's Johnstone's Paint Trophy final against Carlisle United will be the former Hearts captain's first appearance at Wembley, so the blood and guts being exchanged at Easter Road can wait.

Neilson admits to surprise at his good fortune just six weeks after joining Brentford on loan from Leicester City. He is preparing for a cup final at a stadium he dreamt of playing in since childhood. And don't tell him there is a lack of glamour simply because it's Carlisle and the Johnstone's Paint Trophy rather than Chelsea and the FA Cup. This is one of the biggest occasions of his career.

"It's a good bonus, I must admit," he said. "I wasn't involved at Leicester so to be playing at Wembley a few weeks down the line is great. It should be a really good day out because they are expecting a crowd of about 50,000. It's great for the club. Unfortunately I won't be able to see the Edinburgh derby so I'll need to check my phone for the score. But I'd rather be at Wembley, I'm really looking forward to it.

"I've never even been to Wembley before never mind played there. It would be great to say I've played there. The Brentford manager (Nicky Forster) is on the playing staff here as well and he was telling me he's never played there either. I've played at Hampden before so to play at Wembley will be another big occasion."

Brentford are slight favourites for the final but even in the midst of any potential celebrations Neilson intends to seek out the Edinburgh derby score. "I think Hearts have been in a difficult position recently because they virtually have third place secured but they aren't likely to get second," he said. "You then wonder how important the games are but, with it being a derby, the boys will be up for it. I'd love to see it but the result from Easter Road will be the first one I look for."

The prospect of a Wembley appearance is captivating for players of both Brentford and Carlisle. Their League One existence, just three points apart in the table, does not provide the high profile enjoyed by Neilson's parent club, who are managed by Sven-Goran Eriksson. The move to Griffin Park has rejuvenated the full-back after a period of inactivity at Leicester.

"The team has been doing well since I got to Brentford. The new manager took over about two weeks before I arrived and he's really turned things round. We've won a lot of games and pushed back up the league, now there's the cup final to look forward to. We played Carlisle last Friday and beat them 2-1. We just need to do the same and win the game tomorrow. It's a final and there's a trophy to be won."Hampden is probably the best stadium I've played in but there have been a few. Celtic Park and Ibrox are great arenas. Wembley is one of those ones you want to play in when you're a kid so I'm getting that chance tomorrow. My family will be down and hopefully we get the result. Joining Brentford has definitely been the right move for me because I wasn't playing at Leicester and it was good to get away.

"I'd gone a few months without playing and I just felt I had to get games. There's nothing worse than being somewhere when you don't feel part of the team. Down here, once you've signed on loan for a month you can keep extending it till the end of the season. I'll probably continue doing that and then look at things in the summer."

Neilson admits his prospects of re-establishing himself at Leicester are rather remote. "I went in to speak to Sven during the week because he does keep tabs on you. I'll go back there for pre-season and see what's happening.

"No matter what league Leicester are in next season, whether it's the Premier League or the Championship, I reckon they will bring in more players. That's just the way it's been going under Sven.

"You never say never because I might get back into the team there, but I need to look at other options as well, whether it be moving permanently somewhere or a loan deal. I've done well at Brentford so hopefully I'll have some options in the summer. I want to play football, I don't want to be sitting not doing anything for the final year of my contract."