Keeper is jolly good

Ryan Goodfellow - "Ibrox was a bit different but having played there I now feel that I can play anywhere.

Ryan Goodfellow made his starting debut at Ayr on Easter Saturday and although he has waited some time for that he still rates that as a youthful debut for a goalkeeper. Speaking exclusively to the website Ryan admitted that he is hoping that this Saturday will be another milestone with a home starting debut:-

"For me it has been a long time coming but I have been improving all year, getting better and better so hopefully I am in with a shout at staying at Dunfermline next season."

That would mean, that despite only being 20 years of age, Ryan would be one of the longest serving players on the Pars books.

"I have been here since half way through my under 13 season. Paul Donnelly brought me here since I was with him at Spartans in Edinburgh. I had been at Celtic and Hibs when I was younger but Paul was coaching at Dunfermline as well. He brought me through and I signed then.

"My aim was always to make the first team so it was brilliant; I was absolutely delighted."

To start was special after two 'warm up' appearances when Ryan Scully had to go off against Airdrieonians and Rangers. This time it was no emergency and Ryan enjoyed having the time to properly prepare.

"Not that you are not prepared to play but it is just the whole build up to the game means that you are not nearly so nervous because you have had time to think about it. It is better having the whole game to play rather than having to get up to speed with it."

Such is Ryan's confidence he confessed to being not the one bit nervous about his starting debut.

"Ibrox was a bit different but having played there I now feel that I can play anywhere. It was good and I really enjoyed it."

The defence that lined up in front of him had familiar faces from the youth set up that he knows well and played with many times - Ross Millen, Kerr Young, Lewis Martin and Alex Whittle. He played with Danny Grainger against Rangers and trains with them all daily.

"My main aim is to play consistently every week but I can't really complain because Ryan Scully has been brilliant this season. He has had a few great saves at important times in games."

Ryan Goodfellow feels that of late he has pushed first choice Ryan for the number one shirt even more of late.

"My other aim is to get a contract for next season. I want to stay here as long as I can because I love it here. I really enjoy playing here.

"Since the club went into administration it is a much younger team, everybody knows each other really well and gets on really well. Before there was the first team and the under 19s - they were two separate things - but now we are one and pushing for the same thing. It is a better atmosphere.

"When I first came into the under 19s you would not think of going near the first team. Circumstances have forced that to change but it has ended up better than it was. There is a better chemistry in the team; you can see that on a Saturday - there are few performances in the season where you could turn round and say that we never tried. Everybody is in it together and in it for the same thing."

The keeper who hails from Earlston in the Borders complimented his goalkeeping coach Brian Potter:-

"Brian has changed me completely. From when he came in until now, the improvement I have made has been brilliant. He is just so switched on; knowing exactly what you need to work on and he will work on these things and keep working on them until you get it right.

"He works at a higher tempo, he wants things done sharp and quickly. Brian is similar to myself, he does not have a great deal of height but even when he played, from what I have heard, he was a great shot stopper. With the ball at his feet, he was a great kicker."

Ryan identified his vocal qualities in his goalkeeping coach especially making his presence felt to compensate for lack of height.

"Height for me is not a problem, just look at Andy Goram and Stefan Klos - he was one of my favourite goalkeepers. I have always looked up to him because of his height. Even Casillas at Real Madrid just now is not a big goalkeeper but look at him, he is unbelievable."

Ryan coaches the youths on a Monday night taking the young goalkeepers and then the older age group with Davie Westwood. He hopes to take his 'badges' and become a fully fledged goalkeeping coach.

"I enjoy coaching and would like to coach teams as well."

After three appearances away from home, Ryan is likely to make his home debut on Saturday against Rangers. The younger players see this as a great opportunity to show the manager that they deserve a place in the team for the play offs.

"The gaffer has already said that places for the play offs have not yet been decided. He is not going to make that decision right now, so we need to battle it
out. That is good for everybody, they all have something to prove.

"Everybody is absolutely buzzing for the play offs, we can't wait."