[Mighty T.A.L.]

Rijkaard: I'm staying

Frank Rijkaard insists he will still be at Barcelona next season despite Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger being linked with a move to the Camp Nou.

Barcelona club president Joan Laporta has given his full backing to Rijkaard despite Barcelona missing out on La Liga title to Real Madrid.

And the Dutchman says he is delighted to have the backing of the board as he looks to build on his four-year stay at Barca, saying: "I'm really excited about continuing.

"When you finish the season you notice the tiredness.

"It's a pity we don't have time to continue and put things right in this league - to react and show that we are a great club."

Rijkaard went on to stress his desire to keep stars such as Ronaldinho and Samuel Eto'o who have both been linked with moves away from the club this summer.

"They're great players," he said. "They're wanted by a great many teams around the world and for good reasons. They're tremendous figures.

"I'd like to continue with them."

Meanwhile, midfielder Deco has defended the commitment of his team-mates saying it was mistakes made on the pitch that cost Barca the title.

"The players are to blame for not having achieved the standards of last year," he told El Mundo Deportivo.

"But now it feels like we are on trial.

"It is easy to say 'This is the players' fault, they have lacked commitment and character', but I don't think this is fair on all of us.

"We lost the title because we made wrong decisions at key moments, tactical mistakes or individual errors. It has nothing to do with commitment."

Source: Skysports