Walsall goalkeeper Mark Gillespie, who recently joined on a two-year deal after rejecting terms with Carlisle United, has spoken to the local press and revealed that fellow stopper Liam Roberts is pushing him for a starting role.
25-year-old Gillespie, who was speaking via the Express & Star, insisted that Roberts, who recently agreed a new deal with the club, is not going to make things easy for him, he said; "Liam Roberts is pushing me. I have been really impressed with him so far. If you are working in a small group every day you need to have a good dynamic and I think we have already got that. We are getting on well which can only be a good thing. I’ll try and help him and I’m sure he’ll try and help me."
Since turning pro in 2012 Walsall-born Roberts has enjoyed loan spells with Romulus, Rushall Olympic, Rainworth Miners Welfare, Southport, Gresley, Rugby Town and Chester, making over sixty first-team appearances.
Mark, who made over one-hundred and sixty appearances during his nine years with the Cumbrians, then went on to discuss his belief that he can bring plenty of experience to the Saddlers' dressing room, he continued; "I think, for a 25-year-old, I am fairly experienced and hopefully I can bring that to the changing room. I joined Walsall because I want to improve all areas of my game. I want to kick on and at the moment all I’m concentrating on is performing at my best. I really can’t wait for the season to start and to get a feel for the stadium and playing in front of the fans."