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Leicester legends Alan Smith and Matt Elliott give their take on Foxes title glory

Leicester have been praised by former Foxes legends
Image: Leicester have been praised by former Foxes legends

Leicester legends Alan Smith, Matt Elliott, Simon Grayson and Steve Guppy give their reaction to one of the greatest upsets in sporting history.

Sky Sports pundit Smith, who spent five years with the club between 1982-1987, told Sky Sports News HQ: "It's one of those romantic stories I didn't think we'd ever see at the top of the Premier League any more with the difference in money these days."

The former England striker said he had never seen anything like this before, adding: "I was in the stadium when Greece lifted the Euros in Portugal and that was a huge shock at the time.

"But this, over the course of nine months, in what I think is the most competitive league in the world, by a team that was 5000/1 at the start of the year, that nearly got relegated in the previous campaign, I just can't think of anything that equates to it."

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Leicester ratings

Alan Smith give his verdict on Leicester players

Elliott, former Leicester defender (1997-2005) spoke to SSNHQ from outside the King Power Stadium about the club's transformation from last season's 14th place finish to top spot this time around.

He said: "The predicament that most people thought Leicester would be in this season and the way they've turned it round from the back end of the previous year is incredible stuff.

"It's one thing to be at the top for a little while but to be able to sustain it and finish off the job has been miraculous stuff and hats off to every player involved.

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Alan Smith gives his view on Leicester's title triumph with praise for forward Jamie Vardy.

"A lot of people have been sceptical even up to recent weeks that they'd maybe buckle under the pressure. They've done quite the opposite, they've flipped it round on Tottenham. Last night, Tottenham folded in the second half when it really mattered."

And the former former Foxes captain believes winning the Premier League title will help keep the key players at the club.

He added: "Leicester's going to have a massive pull to the players, to keep them. They've won the title, Champions League football next season, what else do you need?"

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Leicester goalkeeper coach Mike Stowell says the squad's team spirit was the key factor in winning the Premier League

Preston North End manager Grayson, who played for the club between 1992-1997, praised Claudio Ranieri for carrying on the groundwork laid by predecessor Nigel Pearson last season.

He said: "First and foremost, we should give Nigel Pearson a lot of credit for keeping them in the division last year and they've carried that momentum forward

"What Ranieri's done is he's gone in and not changed too much.  He's been very clever and kept his backroom staff on, who knew all about the football club.

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National treasure

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"But he's obviously got a group of players that are enjoying what they're doing and he hasn't tried to change too many things."    

Guppy, who enjoyed two periods with Leicester between (1997-2001 & 2004), added: "I watched it in a little pub in my village - and for a little pub it was a bit lively. I took my daughter to school late this morning because everyone we passed wanted to talk about it.

"I moved back in November from America and people were starting to get excited. If you ever came to a game at the King Power, people felt it could be done months ago. It's special here."

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