Stoke City new boy and the ‘brilliant’ teammate he is relieved to be lining up alongside
Andrew Moran doesn’t want any favours as he starts the task of proving himself to his Stoke City teammates and boss.
The 20-year-old midfielder has joined on a season-long loan from Brighton, making his debut from the bench last weekend before he had even had chance to train with the team. But if there are some loanees who are sent out with contractual agreements that dictate playing time, he only wants to be selected on merit.
“I wouldn’t like to go on loan knowing that they have to play me,” said the Ireland international, who is hoping to make his home bow against West Brom on Saturday (3pm). “I wouldn’t feel right doing that. I want to earn my way into the team, earn the respect of my teammates and coaches and all that. I think that would feel fake, I wouldn’t like that at all.
“So I’m ready to try to prove myself first of all to the lads and get their trust on the pitch and obviously to the manager as well, who ultimately picks the team. I’m excited for that challenge.
“When I get my chances I will try to take them and in training every day I’ll try to be the best I can be and try to impress.”
Moran is reunited with his old Blackburn Rovers teammates Sam Gallagher and Niall Ennis, Enda Stevens from international duty and Bosun Lawal, his one-time foe and Ireland youth pal who he is glad he will be lining up alongside rather than against.
It was a rush for Moran to get the loan deal sorted last week so he could be involved at Watford last Saturday, knowing that it was a useful experience even if the game itself was a challenge.
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