As part of a new series for the Pollok FC programme and website, we will be sitting down with Pollok players and officials, past and present, to get to know more about their involvement in our great club. We begin with a new signing who made a very strong first impression on the Newlandsfield faithful: 21 year-old forward Andrew Gallacher, who joined from Blantyre Victoria.

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Let’s help the Pollok fans get to know you a bit better. Which teams have you played for before and what kind of player do you think you are?

I spent most of my younger years playing with Jerviston, Moorlands and Cantera and then started playing Junior level at around 18. I have played for St Cadoc’s and most recently Blantyre Victoria. I am a player that likes to take defenders on, creating and scoring goals.

You have come to Pollok from Blantyre Victoria where you enjoyed a great breakthrough season last year, being named Fans’ Player of the Year at KG Stadium. What did you learn there that will help you at Newlandsfield?

I think playing week in week out is massive for any young player and definitely helped me build confidence to get the most out of my game. There were a lot of good experienced players that have played at a high level around the club that helped me massively with the tactical side of the game.

When did you first hear of Pollok’s interest in you and what was your reaction?

It was pretty last minute if I’m honest, I had a few offers and wasn’t sure whether to stay at Blantyre or move elsewhere. Pollok then came in at the end of the season and I knew it was an opportunity I couldn’t knock back.

You have moved to a club in transition, but one that comes with a lot of pressure. How do you handle those expectations from the support when you are on the park?

It’s something I think you need to thrive off of. The Pollok support is class and if you’ve got them on side then it makes your job easier on the park. No matter where you play you’re always wanting as many fans as possible at the games and that pressure is only going to help us.

You made an instant impact on your competitive debut against Auchinleck Talbot on the opening day of the season. What did Maxi and the coaching team say to you as you were coming on?

For a period in the second half we started to really come into it creating some good chances and he just told me to go on and try make something happen and bring a spark to the game.

You certainly managed that, and your winning goal will live long in the memory. Talk us through it.

I picked up the ball from Scotty (Forrester) on the left after a good bit of play and found myself in a lot of space. As I started driving towards the defender, I could see him backing off a bit so knew that if I could cut inside then I could get a shot off and try to find the opposite corner and thankfully it flew in.

That was a big three points in the first game of the season. How important was that win in giving the squad confidence that this season can be a successful one?

It’s massive for the squad to get that first win especially at home in the first game of the season. It’s something we can now go and build on and we are confident that we can do really well this season.

Finally, what are your ambitions for the season, both on an individual basis and for the whole team.

Individually I want to add as many goals and assists as possible and become a mainstay in the squad. The whole team is ambitious in terms of what we can achieve, and the goal is ultimately for us to win the league.

Written by Paul Regan.

Banner photograph by James Graham.