Slovakia to Scotland via Italy

New goalkeeper compares Scottish football with his previous experiences:- "Here everybody runs for the whole ninety minutes, Italian football would be much slower."

Michal Hrivnak spoke to the website and proved to have quickly acquired good handling of the English language.

"I like it here, it is a new country for me. The group, the coaches and all the staff are very good."

He has arrived here on the recommendation of Stefano Salvatori, his Italian agent and former Hearts player (1996-99) who naturally is known to Jim Jefferies. The keeper continued explaining how he has left his hometown near Bratislava at a young age:-

"When I was sixteen I went to Italy to join Brescia. I was training with the first team in the Second and First Division. Last season I was on loan to a Third Division team, Civitanovese.

"The training here is focussed more on strong football; in Italy it is more technique. Here everybody runs for the whole ninety minutes, Italian football would be much slower."

The tall Slovakian praised his new goalkeeper coach at Dunfermline, Brian Potter and colleague Paul Gallacher:

"They are helping me, telling me what I have to do they are very good. I will learn from them."

The keeper played at under 18 level for his country but then suffered a set back when he broke his finger. He would like to return to representative honours some day and hopes that his experience in Scotland helps:-

"I train 100% and try to get to play matches. I enjoyed the game at Berwick but I was still struggling with the language. I will learn fast."