Ranieri gives Leicester players NYE pass

And before Saturday’s visit of a Bournemouth side more focused on the battle against relegation, Leicester skipper Morgan said: “We have something to be proud of”.

“It’s fantastic. I can only say well done to our players and our fans are unbelievable, they support us and they push us”.

Considering Leicester have only let in eight goals in their last 10 matches themselves, evens (2.00) certainly look appealing on under 2.5 goals being scored when they take on a newly-resilient Bournemouth.

“It is not our position but we fight and we would love to stay there”.

“I think it was a good performance for us”, added Ranieri.

Speaking after the reverse at the Emirates Stadium, midfielder Andrew Surman told Bournemouth’s official website: “We’ve set ourselves high standards”.

Ranieri brushed off concerns star duo Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez are running on empty after successive blanks.

And the veteran boss continues to guard against complacency after insisting the Foxes’ next game at home to Bournemouth on Saturday will be even harder than facing big-spending City.

“They are in good condition, they press a lot and move the ball very well”.

But Ranieri still believes the pressure is on Arsenal and Manchester City, who are leading the challenge from the more established heavyweights.

Ranieri says his players can mark ending 2015 level on points with Arsenal at the top of the Premier League by seeing in the New Year in style. Rock bottom of the league at the end of 2014, the Foxes finished the year second only on goal difference, and are 19/20 (1.95) favourites with William Hill to maintain their resurgence with victory here.

Ranieri’s side are just one point off his 40-point survival target with half the season still to play, and the Italian now acknowledges there is a growing determination in the squad to keep fighting at the top. But without him, we must continue to defend as did tonight. We want to win.