Stephen Appiah has slammed reports that quoted him as saying he deserves to be at the World Cup because he is a 'big shot'. Appiah captained Ghana at the 2006 World Cup but has not played for the Black Stars in a major tournament after injuries badly disrupted his club career. He is still hoping to be on the flight to Pretoria for Ghana's 2010 campaign but has flatly denied comments attributed to him in the Soccer Week last week. “I haven't spoken to anyone about going to the World Cup and my chances of making the team. What has been written in the last few days have not come from me and I have no idea who started all these stories,” Appiah said on his personal website. “All the stories about me insisting that I will be at the World Cup because I am a 'big shot' and deserve to be there are not true.” Appiah was quoted as saying in the South African tabloid that, "I am very determined to break into the first team. This is an opportunity I wouldn't want to miss. Ask 10 out of 11 players and they will tell you how important the World Cup or any major tournament is to their career. This is the finest gathering of those who call the shots in the game. I see myself as a big shot and would be a big loss if I don't make it into Milovan's team." Despite the denial, Appiah insist he will be keen to make the final squad for the South Africa party even though his immediate priority is how to break into the Bologna team where he has not played despite signing a deal late last year. "As everyone knows, the coach and his technical team will select the team and I don’t think I will be treated any differently from the rest of the guys. “I am fit and looking to break into the Bologna team and from then on the rest will depend on Coach Milovan and his team. If I am called I will definitely be there to represent Ghana,” he concluded. A decision on Appiah will be one of the toughest for Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac ahead of the World Cup. His iconic status on the back of some outstanding displays for Ghana especially at the 2006 World Cup means he still enjoys a big following many of whom feel he still has a part to play in South Africa. But the Black Stars looked to have moved on fine without him and with the midfield the healthiest area for Ghana in terms of talent, there are those who say others deserve the Ghana shirt better. Rajevac dropped Appiah from his African Nations Cup squad ostensibly to give him time to settle in at his new club but left him out of Ghana's only friendly match since then. Source: Kickoff.com