Ray Raring To Go

Ray Grant spoke to the official website this week after a return to the club in the summer, following two years away:-

“I’m delighted to be back. I had a great time at the club first time round and it was really exciting to get the opportunity to come back in the summer. I want to come with a clean slate though, obviously I enjoyed myself before but it’s a fresh start and I want to try and be even more successful than the first time round. There’s good competition for places in midfield as well so I’m taking nothing for granted and will work hard to earn my place in the team.

“We’re quietly optimistic about the season. From our pre-season matches so far we know we need to get better and improve on some things but we’ve got the attitude and the hunger in the dressing room to do that. We’ve got some good skilful players in there who are comfortable on the ball but we know it’s going to take more than just that to be successful, we’ll need to roll our sleeves up and fight but there’s good characters in the team. League 1 is shaping up to be a very tough division this year and we’re under no illusions but we’ll just take each game as it comes. The manager will be looking to add more faces to the squad as well but if we apply ourselves in the right manner for every minute of every game you never know what might happen.”

Grant was a consistent presence in the Clyde team from 2018 until the COVID shutdown, appearing in 99 out of a possible 101 games:-

“It was a frustrating way to finish a couple of years ago especially being on the cusp of my 100th appearance. With a combination of luck by avoiding injuries and through my own performances I managed to play just about every game in the two-and-a-half years I was here before but it’ll make my second debut all the more special now as it’ll be my 100th in a Clyde shirt. Just before lockdown we had went on a really good run where we won three games in a week and had started to look up to the promotion playoffs, but then we were in limbo and didn’t know when or if we would restart again. It was really frustrating for everyone around the club but I never look back with any regrets or think how it might have played out differently; I had a brilliant time before and I’m eager to try and create even better memories now.”

The midfielder is eagerly anticipating the kick off to the season against Hibs a week today:-

“It looks like it’s going to be a great occasion and the boys are really looking forward to it. I’m sure the fans will be up for it too, especially given how many games they missed out on in recent seasons. But now everything is back to normal I hope they can go and enjoy their day at Easter Road and hopefully we can put on a performance for them to send them back home happy.”

After leaving Clyde the 25-year-old stepped up to the Championship with Alloa Athletic, before spending last season with League 2 Stirling Albion:-

“In football now you have players playing at different levels for different reasons. Yeah Alloa was a step up but last season I was with Stirling and there were players I came up against who I think could compete in the Championship, I don’t think there’s too much difference as there are good players you’ll come up against wherever you go. Some are at that level due to personal circumstances, some have a good part-time job whilst others just haven’t had the opportunity yet. As I said we’ve got very strong teams in the league this year so I think it’ll be just as tough a test for me as my season in the Championship was.”

The midfielder came through the academy at Norwich City and made his professional debut in an FA Cup tie against Southampton, competing against James Ward-Prowse, Oriol Romeu and Nathan Redmond:-

“That was a great memory and experience for me. It’s obviously very tough to break through at a big English club with the amount of money going around and the size of squads. I didn’t actually think I’d get an opportunity like that due to the experienced quality players ahead of me but I can only thank Alex Neil for that as he rewarded me for good performances in the reserves and my attitude in training. It’s something I can look back on with fondness and will be with me forever.”

Grant concluded with a message to the Clyde fans:-

“I hope as many Clyde fans as possible will be able to sign up for Season Passes and come along to Hamilton. I know what they were like at Broadwood, especially in the season we got promoted. They were massive for us and helped pull us through in the Playoff Final. It’s great to see the stands full as they sing non-stop and are supportive, and that has a great effect on the players. We know it’s going to be tough at times this season but I hope they can all stick with us and we can give them something to shout about on the pitch as well.”

You can be part of the club’s New Chapter by purchasing your 2022-23 Season Pass through the Club Shop today.