Western Daily Press (Saturday)
I’ve joined Robins to play matches, says Marinovic
NEW Bristol City goalkeeper Stefan Marinovic insists he is not at Ashton Gate to make up the numbers after his surprise arrival on a free transfer.
Marinovic has signed until the end of the season after being released by MLS side Vancouver Whitecaps in November, and provides valuable injury cover in light of Niki Maenpaa’s calf problem and Frank Fielding being ruled out for the rest of the season due to a hand injury.
As a result, the New Zealand international is in contention to make the matchday squad for today’s visit of Leeds, although Max O’Leary is expected to earn his fifth Championship start of the season.
But with Maenpaa’s status unclear and Jojo Wollacott, City’s only other senior goalkeeper, untested, there is the very real chance Marinovic could play a part in City’s promotion push, an opportunity the 27-year-old is keen to seize.
“Personally (in terms of my aims), it’s always to play, and if that’s not the case then it’s to push those in front to me to play even better so the that the team in the end can reach their goal of getting promoted,” he told the official club website.
“(The Championship) is an extremely competitive league, I have a couple of friends who have played here and I’ve heard a lot of things: it’s very physical. I’m really excited, it’s a great opportunity for myself and I hope to help the club with this year’s goal of promotion.”
Marinovic has spent the last week on trial at City, having also trained with Premier League Wolves and Scottish Premiership giants Rangers, after enjoying a globe-trotting career with has taken him from his native New Zealand to Germany when he was 17 and then on to Canada.
He added: “You see a lot of types of football, a lot of different cultures, it’s been an eye-opener for myself. I’m from little old New Zealand and to see the big wide world including Europe and the Americas, I really enjoyed it and hopefully its helped me grow and improve as a player.”