Chris Hatherall: It may not fill the heart with joy — but Man City deserved this achievement

Manchester City's players celebrate after winning the Champions League semi-final clash with Paris Saint Germain. Picture :AP Photo/Dave Thompson

It doesn’t exactly fill the heart with joy that one of the shameless rebels who betrayed football with the infamous Super League breakaway now has a place in the Champions League final — but if it was going to be anyone, then this outstanding Manchester City side deserves it most.

It is no secret that ever since the day he walked into Manchester in 2008, Sheikh Mansour has made becoming champions of Europe the Holy Grail and valued the competition above all else.