Arsenal defender is confident of rising to challenge at Ross County
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New Ross County defender Harry Clarke is looking forward to rising to the challenge of keeping goals out in Dingwall.
The 20-year-old, who can play on the right side of defence as well as in the middle, signed on a season-long loan from Arsenal at the start of the week, reinforcing Malky Mackay’s defensive options.
He joins a side who have struggled to keep clean sheets, with a look at the league table for most of the last two years showing the Staggies conceding the most goals in the division.
Clarke is familiar with that sort of situation, having spent last season out on loan in England’s League Two at Oldham Athletic, who battles against similar statistics to avoid dropping out of the football league.
So, needing very little time to adjust his mindset, he hopes to hit the ground running in Dingwall and help shut the door on County’s opposition.
“It’s the same sort of problem we had last year at Oldham,” Clarke reasoned.
“I’ve dealt with that before, but the plan is obviously to concede less goals, and that wins you more points and more games.
“I played quite a bit there, it was a good experience because it was my first time out on loan.
“It took me a while to get settled in, but they were a great bunch of boys.
“Playing men’s football was what I needed as part of my development, so hopefully I can do the same up here.
“It’s a big challenge, but that’s what I’m here to do – I want to stop goals going in.”
Despite featuring for parent club Arsenal in a pre-season friendly against County’s next opponents Hibernian, Clarke admits to not knowing too much about Scottish football.
Instead, he credits his new manager with tempting him north.
“The manager played a big role in me coming in,” Clarke insisted.
“He’s a legend up here, so to play for him will be great. It’s just the way he is.
“I’ve only been here for a couple of days, but he’s a big name which will help me going forward if I can impress him.
“He knows what he’s doing. It’s a great set up, and the boys have really bought into him – even I have already.
“He’s got high standards, but he will also have a laugh and a joke with you at the right times, which I like as well.
“I think this year the league is really strong, probably the strongest it can be with both of the Dundee clubs back in, Aberdeen, Hearts, Hibs, Rangers and Celtic. It will be a step up for me, but I’m really looking forward to the season.”
