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New boy Richie impresses

Gavin Browne
22/ 9/2008

RICHIE Byrne hopes to be given the chance to impress Latics boss John Sheridan and extend his month-long contract at Boundary Park in the process.

The ex-Aberdeen defender is in line for selection at the heart of the defence provided Sean Gregan fails in any appeal the club wishes to make against his red card at Hartlepool United last weekend.

Byrne came on for his debut a fortnight after signing a short-term contract and duly impressed with a composed 18-minute cameo at the heart of the back four.

The Irishman said: "I've been training with the boys for a while and I know how they like to play. I've watched a few games and the reserves play pretty similarly to the first team which makes it easier when you step into the first team.

"I'm happy to play because I get a game, it doesn't matter where I get a game. The team's done very well so we'll wait and see.

"I'd be happy to stay at the club longer, it's a very good club with a good bunch of lads and I can see them going places if they hang onto the real performers until the end of the season."

Byrne, who turns 27 on Wednesday, arrived at Athletic having had trials with other teams including Dutch club NEC Nijmegen. That trip came after a tip-off from Aberdeen boss Jimmy Calderwood, the man who took the decision to release Byrne at the end of last season.

Byrne said: "I'd been training on my own at home but I had a couple of pals at St Patrick's Athletic and I trained with them for three or four weeks and then went to Holland.

"Jimmy has experience in Holland and a lot of connections. He asked me if I wanted to go and I went over, enjoyed my stay, and I learned a lot even though I was only there for a week.

"I got a bit of fitness and football and then I came here for another two weeks, then I signed for a month and it's going well.

"I've had a few months off but hopefully that's the end of it and I'll be available for selection for a fair amount of time this season."