He only arrived this week but new St Johnstone goalkeeper Remi Matthews is relishing taking his place between the posts in Saturday’s Scottish Premiership opener against Hibs.
The 28-year-old, who has joined the Perth club on a season-long loan from Crystal Palace, was quickly put through his paces in training after signing.
Saints were in need of a new No.1 following Zander Clark’s departure and Matthews, previously of Hamilton Accies, is ready to step up to the plate.
“I was desperate to get it done in the end,” he said. “It was going back and forth for a few days.
“The longer you left it, the less training I would have with the lads because I’ll ideally play on Saturday.
“I had a decent session on Wednesday, will recover on Thursday and then another on Friday ahead of the game.
“It’s straight into it and that is probably the best way. I’m looking forward to it and hopefully getting a good result.”
Matthews needs no introduction to the game up north having enjoyed a successful Accies loan in season 2016/17.
“I loved my time at Hamilton,” he told the PA. "It was something I needed and I made the decision to come up without knowing much about Scottish football.
“When you actually come up here, you realise the level is much higher than what people say it is back home.”
Experience through the years has been picked up at clubs including Plymouth, Bolton and Sunderland.
“I’ve been at a few big clubs and signed for Palace last year,” he explained.
“I’d had the number three role but I was on the bench a few times through the season.
“I was in and around a Premier League environment day in, day out. That has helped me massively.
“I’ve had a great goalkeeping coach in Dean Kiely who has been brilliant for me too.
“The main goal for Saints is to finish as high as possible and not be scrapping like last year.”
