Loan signing from Blackburn Rovers wants number one jersey at Ross County
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Joe Hilton says he has come to Ross County with the intention of becoming the club’s number one goalkeeper.
The 21-year-old arrived in Dingwall on loan from English Championship club Blackburn Rovers last week in a deal which will last until the rest of the season.
Hilton says he’s not arrived with the intention of keeping the bench warm and wants to show what he can do in between the sticks for the Staggies.
“It’s the aim of a keeper, obviously only one can play,” he said.
“You have to do your best in training to push each other on and in the end whoever is the best will play.
“The Scottish Premiership is a great opportunity for me to try and see what I can do.
“I back my ability and I think this is the right club to push on in my career.
“I have to come in and compete and if I get the chance, I need to be ready and take it. “That’s the role of a keeper, you come in, see who you are up against and push each other.”
Hilton, who came through the youth ranks at Manchester City and Everton before joining Rovers, had a brief loan spell at Fleetwood Town earlier this season.
He said his experience at Fleetwood will stand him in good stead for the challenge with the Staggies.
“I went on an emergency loan to Fleetwood Town at the start of January which was out of the blue.
“It was a great experience. I have been injured most of the season which was tough. I ruptured a tendon in my ankle so I was out for four months with that. But Fleetwood was a great point for me, making my senior league debut in League One.
“I am coming up here to push on from that. The new contract has shown that the hard work I have put in over the last four months has paid off.
“I think signing that new deal gives me more security over the next few years.
“Ross County is a great level for me.
“Since I have come up I have learned a lot more over the last week or so. It has really opened my eyes. It is a great league with a lot of good players.”
