Rangel keen to follow Britton´s lead

Swansea defender Angel Rangel wants to match the 400 appearances that Leon Britton has made for the Welsh club.

Midfielder Britton achieved the feat in the 2-2 draw with Reading on Saturday, and received a rapturous reception from the home support after helping guide the Welsh side from the brink of non-league football to the top flight.

Rangel also reached a major landmark at the weekend, as he made his 200th league appearance for the club.

However the Spaniard, who moved from Spanish third-tier side Terrassa to join up with compatriot and then manager Roberto Martinez in 2007, has now set his sights on emulating Britton’s achievement.

“The reception Brits got last weekend was well deserved because he has been a great player for this club,” he told The South Wales Evening Post.

“He has been through everything here — fighting against relegation to the Conference to playing in the Premier League.

“I’ve managed 200 league appearances since I moved here, and I would love to reach 400 games like Brits. He is a great example to everyone at the club.

“I know I am approaching 30, but I look after myself and I hope to play as long as I can before retiring here.”

Despite winning a League One title and tasting the glory of promotion to the Premier League with Swansea, the defender feels he still has more to achieve at the Liberty Stadium.

“Things couldn’t have gone any better for me. When I got here I didn’t know what to expect, and the football was a bit of a mystery to me as well,” Rangel said.

“I know I am a Spaniard, but I really feel at home here. Everyone is really friendly and there is a great vibe around the football club and the city.

“When I got here the talk was to get to the Premier League, and I don’t think many people believed we could do it.

“But we proved them wrong, and now we are working towards becoming an established Premier League team.”