Rovers spell made me a keeper

Former Albion Rovers goalkeeper Scott Shearer believes that the switch from Coatbridge to Coventry shaped him as a player and urged other part-time players to keep the faith.

Shearer has enjoyed a career in the English lower leagues, with spells at the Sky Blues, Bristol Rovers, Wycombe, Rotherham and Crewe.

But it all started for him as a youngster at Cliftonhill.

During his three-year stint in Coatbridge a 20-year-old Shearer battled his way into the number one spot, even notably scoring against Queen’s Park at Hampden.

Now at Oxford United and having recently penned a new deal, he is happy to help on the coaching side and be number two to “excellent” first- choice Simon Eastwood.

“I really enjoyed my time at Albion Rovers but moving down south to Coventry was a real eye-opener,” he told the Advertiser.

“Getting that playing time was massive for me. I got to play a whole season and then Coventry came in for me.

“To be honest, I was nowhere near ready for it.

“I was just a kid going in there and had a lot of big decisions to make. You don’t think about those things when you are agreeing to the move.

“Looking back though, it was probably one of the best decisions I made.

“At Albion Rovers I didn’t really have a coach and making the move to Coventry really shaped me as a goalkeeper.

“I would recommend if anyone gets that chance to take it.”

The ex-Scotland B shotstopper hopes to bring through the next generation of players, just as he was brought through by former gaffer Peter Heatherstone at Cliftonhill.

He said: “I’ve always really enjoyed the coaching side of the game and at this point in my career it’s been good to be involved with that more.

“I’m always happy to help at Oxford if I can and I’ve got a few other things on the back burner.”

New deal Scott Shearer