Loan keeper feels ready to grab his opportunity at Cove with both hands

Ryan Mullen wants to challenge for the number one spot at Cove Rangers during his loan spell this season.

The 19-year-old Celtic goalkeeper joined from the Premiership champions last week and, after overcoming serious injury, is keen to rack up as many games as possible while at Cove.

Mullen suffered a thigh injury last season, keeping him out of action for more than six months.

Now fully fit, he faces stiff competition from Stuart McKenzie for Cove’s starting goalkeeper position. McKenzie has been the undisputed number one since returning to the club from Montrose in 2015.

Mullen played his first 45 minutes for the club during the 1-1 draw with Dundee on Saturday and wants to make the most of his time in the north-east.

He said: “I had been trying to get myself out on loan to get some men’s football. I got in contact with Cove and the club were really happy for me to get out there.

“The manager has showed faith in me and I want to go challenge for that number one spot. Hopefully I get my chance.

“It’s a great standard for me. I was surprised to get out to League One since it’s my first loan, but I’m looking forward to the opportunity.

“Hopefully I can get to keep that number one spot.”

There is a strong group of goalkeepers below firstteam level at Celtic at present, with Ross Doohan now at Ross County in the top flight after loan spells at Ayr United.

Conor Hazard is a Northern Ireland international with stints at Falkirk, Partick Thistle and Dundee under his belt.

Mullen was relieved to come through Saturday’s game unscathed, though he did not feature in the home friendly against Fraserburgh on Tuesday night.

He added: “I’ve been waiting a long time for it. That was my first game back and in men’s football. It was a great test.

“I tore the tendon in my thigh, so that was me out for 34 weeks.

“It was good to get myself back in pre-season with the team.

“Lockdown made it even worse but I saw it as a blessing in disguise, as a lot of boys weren’t playing football so it was a chance to catch up with them.

“I had been playing on it for a while and hadn’t flagged it up because I didn’t know the difference between a strain and a tear. I played through the pain barrier before realising I couldn’t kick the ball. I flagged it up, went and got a scan and it wasn’t pretty.

“I was doing a lot of strength work and cardio to keep myself ticking over. I was limited to what I had, but I invested in some stuff to make sure I was ready for coming back.”

LOAN MAN: Ryan Mullen was delighted to be back in action between the sticks during Cove Rangers’ pre-season friendly match against Dundee at Dens Park.