Wednesday 15 March 2017 08:17, UK
Leicester's pulsating Champions League victory over Sevilla will go down as the greatest night in the club's history, according to Tony Cottee.
The champions of England drew a line under their recent troubles to eliminate the La Liga side from the competition, sealing their passage into the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the first time.
Leicester defied the odds to clinch a maiden top-flight title last season but, given their recent plight, former Foxes striker Cottee was left in no doubt that Tuesday's win stands alone in the club's 133-year history.
"It's been a difficult month at the club," he told Soccer Special. "We all know what went on but these players to be fair to them, rightly or wrongly, these players have stood up to be counted.
"If you go back two years, we all thought Leicester were going to get relegated until an incredible rally towards the end of the season under Nigel Pearson.
"Then you had the Premier League winning season. It was all about their consistency last season.
"I said at the start of the night, I thought this would possibly be one of the greatest nights in Leicester's history.
"In terms of nights like this at the King Power, did they get that many games last season where there was this kind of atmosphere? Maybe a few but in the end they won the league by 10 points, so there weren't that many one-off nights.
"In terms of a one-off night and what they've achieved in European football, without a doubt this is by far the greatest night in the club's history. It was a fantastic performance.
"You read out all those big names that are left in the competition; there won't be many of them fancying them in the draw on Friday."
Focus will now turn to Friday's quarter-final draw, where Leicester could be picked to face Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Juventus, Borussia Dortmund, or the two other teams that are yet to secure their passage into the last eight.
But after the historic performance against Sevilla, Cottee believes his former club will not fear anyone as the competitions wears on.
"I don't think they will be that scared [of anybody]," he added. "They are almost fearless.
"I looked before the game and Sevilla have all this experience winning the Europa League and playing in the Champions League and Leicester have none at all.
"At times, they are very naive in Europe and that could ultimately cost them in the end if they come up against a top, top team.
"We all accept that but on their day they've proved they can give any team in Europe, and I mean any team in Europe, a game.
"I said it after the group stage, and I know there were some poor teams in the group, but on their game Leicester are a good challenge for any team."
