I’ve tackled Grealish, Rashford and Martial but now I’m Livin’ it up in the SPFL
Jack trades big names to get career back on track
JACK FITZWATER shackled Jack Grealish, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford for West Brom.
But the stopper turned his back on a proper crack at the English Premier League to join Livingston.
Fitzwater is one of seven summer additions to Gary Holt’s squad but one of the few to arrive with recent game time under his belt.
He turned out for Slaven Bilic’s side in friendlies against Manchester United and Aston Villa as part of English football’s Project Restart, which saw the top two tiers play their seasons to a finish.
The Baggies took full advantage by securing automatic promotion back to the top flight.
But even after going toe-to-toe with some of the best in the game, Fitzwater was adamant he had to head north for the sake of his career.
He said: “Our first game was against Aston Villa and they had a really strong team out – the likes of Jack Grealish.
“With Man United I came up against Martial, Rashford, Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes.
“There were so many big names and you can only learn from playing against guys like that.
“We did well as we drew with Villa and beat United 2-1. It was good.
“But I am here now and can’t wait to get started.
“Training at West Brom was a really high standard as they were trying to get promoted, which they managed to do.
“I felt fit and sharp and I signed for Livingston just after those two games, so I feel I can hit the ground running. Slaven
Bilic wanted me to stay around the club. I was training every day and helping the boys prepare for Championship games.
“I spoke to him again in mid-June and said that I really wanted to go and play games. He said he wanted me to stay but was happy for me to leave so I could do that.
“I need to play games as for the last 18 months I’ve not really done that.
“I knew I wouldn’t play in the Championship games they had left and going up to the Premier League, I wasn’t going to play there either. I need to kickstart my career now and be playing every week to show people what I am about.”
Despite his lack of games over the last 18 months, Fitzwater only has respect for former Croatia international star and boss, Bilic.
The 22-year-old added: “He is great and one of the best man-managers I’ve worked with. He listens to players and speaks to them all the time.
“He has been nothing but great for me and I am delighted they got promoted.”
Fitzwater should have no trouble settling into Livi’s backline as it already contains a couple of familiar faces from his time on loan at Walsall in Nicky Devlin and Jon Guthrie.
He said: “I spoke to the two of them before I signed here.
“They’ve really helped me settle in but all the boys in the changing room have been great.
“The banter is brilliant and I am enjoying it.
“When I had that chemistry with Jon and Nicky at Walsall, we played quite well together.
“We had a good understanding and played together in my first game. We won 1-0 and it was easy to play with them from then on in.
“I am looking forward to playing with them again and to getting Livingston as high up the table as we can.”
St Mirren may not pose the same attacking threat as Man United did when the Lions go to Paisley today but Fitzwater knows what to expect.
He said: “I’ve played against Junior Morias and Jon Obika before in England.
“We know what threat they will pose but we will be ready for it.”