JURGEN MACHO insists he can walk away from relegated Sunderland this summer with his head held high.

The Austrian goalkeeper only played 13 Premiership games this season and the Black Cats have not collected another point since he was axed for the match with Blackburn on January 11.

But during his run in the side - when Thomas Sorensen, Thomas Myhre and Mart Poom were all out injured - Macho's impressive form helped Sunderland claim ten of the 19 points totalled during the whole campaign.

The 25-year-old will leave on a free transfer over the next few weeks and is confident that he has shown this season what he is capable of.

"My performances were good and I was really proud of them," he said. "It was a chance for me to show that I can still do a job in the Premiership. I think I have done that.

"It was not easy when I first came back into the team but the fans helped me all the way and I really appreciate their support.

"I haven't played much since Christmas. I really enjoyed my time in the first team. Playing at places like Chelsea and Manchester United is what being a footballer is all about. I enjoyed every moment of every game.

"I thought I did OK but the manager at the time (Howard Wilkinson) decided to change it around for whatever reason. I think that I should have stayed in the team."

Scottish Premier League side Hibernian are known to have shown an interest in Macho.

But the Austrian's future is still in doubt, although he hopes to secure a move to either Serie A or the Primera Liga.

"I would expect something to happen at the end of May or beginning of June," said Macho, who was signed by Peter Reid in July 2000. "Who knows what that will be. There are talks ongoing but it is at the early stages. It's too early to say where I will end up.

"I will leave Sunderland because my contract is up this summer. The big thing for me is to find first-team football and be the first-choice keeper.

"That would be a massive step forward for me.

"It has to be a good move. I need to find a team where I can show what I can do for a full season. I need to stay abroad and I would always prefer to be playing in the top divisions: Spain, Italy, wherever."

Meanwhile, the agent of Sunderland star David Bellion has claimed the player's proposed move to Manchester United is not signed and sealed.

The Frenchman is expected to complete a switch to Old Trafford in the summer, when his contract on Wearside expires.

But Bellion's advisor Mike Morris insists the former Cannes star will not talk to any interested parties until after that.

"David is out of contract on June 30 and until that time he will not be speaking to anyone," said Morris, who knows Bellion will only cost an agreed compensation figure when he does move on.

"I don't think it is any secret United like him but nothing has been signed."

Sunderland defender Emerson Thome has pleaded with Scottish giants Rangers to end his nightmare on Wearside.

A move to Glasgow rivals Celtic broke down when the transfer window opened in January.

And now the Brazilian, who insists he will never wear a Sunderland shirt again, is hoping to clinch a move to Ibrox.

"I have played 49 first team games for the club and if I reach 50 they must pay Chelsea another £250,000," said the former Stamford Bridge man.

"I have one year left on my contract but they have told me if I find a new club I can move without a transfer fee.

"I am aware that Rangers are interested and I know their chief scout has been to watch me two or three times."

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