Blackburn’s new Scottish striker David Goodwillie said it was an easy decision to turn his back on Rangers – because he wants to face the likes of Manchester United every week rather than St Mirren.
The 22-year-old moved from Dundee United for a fee thought to be £2million plus £800,000 in potential add-ons – and in the face of concerted efforts by Rangers to sign the Scottish Professional Footballers’ Association young player of the year.
Goodwillie said today: ”When you come here and see the set-up at Blackburn Rovers you understand why players would turn their back on the Old Firm.
”In the end it was not that difficult a decision to make, I wanted a fresh start and I’m really looking forward to it.
”In the Scottish Premier League you are playing against teams like St Mirren every other week – to play against teams like Arsenal and Manchester United instead every week is just a different class.”
Goodwillie has already been put through the usual Blackburn squad initiation – being forced to sing a song in public, in his case choosing an old number by The Drifters after scoring in a pre-season game at Kilmarnock.
He revealed: ”I did that at a hotel in Kilmarnock, it was a bit embarrassing but I got through that – I sang an old one, Saturday Night at the Movies.
David Goodwillie
”The boys here have been unbelievable with me, I’ve only been here for a few days but they speak to me as if they had known me for years. I feel really at home.”
Goodwillie has made just one appearance for the Scotland senior team but believes his move south will help him make a name for himself at international level.
”I think this will boost my chances of playing for the national team,” the striker added.
”I look at players like Charlie Adam and Steven Fletcher who have done well in the Premiership and they inspire you because if they can do it, you can do it too.”
Blackburn boss Steve Kean has put his faith in Goodwillie filling the gap left in his striker ranks – Roque Santa Cruz has returned to Manchester City, Benjani Mwaruwari is out of contract and has rejected a new offer, while Nikola Kalinic is expected to join Ukrainian side Dnipro.
Kean said: ”Last year our highest goalscorer had just six goals so we have to improve on that if we are to get into the top half of the table.
”David is a natural finisher and can score any type of goal – outside the box, tap-ins, with his head and he is someone able to create a goal for themselves out of nothing.
”Sometimes it’s just about that little bit of magic.”
Meanwhile, Blackburn striker Nikola Kalinic has joined Ukrainian side Dnipro for an undisclosed fee, Rovers have confirmed.
