Andy Smith Interview
New signing Andy Smith kindly talked to the website this week about his move to Broadwood and his hopes for the season ahead…
What do you think you can bring to the club? – Hopefully, a fair bit of experience but first of all I have to try and get myself into the team. Unfortunately, I haven’t played a lot of games since last season because Raith Rovers wanted me off the wage bill and therefore wouldn’t risk me getting injured in a match. I’m fit enough as in my own fitness, but I’ll need a couple of games to get back to match sharpness. The Gaffer knows that though.
What are your first impressions of the club? – I’ve came to a good side, who did very well last season to finish second. I’ve never liked playing against Clyde, they always gave you a hard game and were well organised. I’m looking forward to it and I’m no stranger to Broadwood as I played with Airdrie here for a couple of seasons so I know the place quite well. Hopefully we can go one better this season.
So there’s a positive outlook in the dressing room then? – Absolutely. We have a fairly small squad here, but most teams in the Division are no different. As you saw on Saturday when Mark Gilhaney came off the bench and changed the game, there is still competition for places. There’s a great bunch of guys in the dressing room so I’m very happy to be here.
Some of the young players coming through are very promising, it can only be good for the club… – I think that’s the way teams are going to have to go now, but it is good to see so many young players at Clyde and hopefully I can help them with one or two things.
You’ll be looking to collect a medal at the end of the season… – I’d like to think so. I’ve won the First Division with Dunfermline before and it was a great experience, one of the best of my career. To win a Championship is a great achievement for any club at any level and it would be nice to win another at the age of 35.
Some fans will be critical of your arrival because of your age… – You could speak to any Manager I’ve worked under and he’ll tell you that I’ll be up at the front in training and in the top 2 or 3 fitness wise. It’s not the same with the sprinting though! I’ve always looked after myself, and I’ve been doing double sessions every day over the summer. The club asked me to do a fitness test to make sure I was alright, and there wasn’t a problem. I’ll have good games and bad games, but I’ll always put myself about and give 100%.
So the two oldest players at the club are the two fittest? – That’s right!