Lewis Mayo first interview

“It is the same everywhere, if everyone is competitive then it will drive the standards up for everyone that is for sure.

Lewis Mayo was at East End Park early on Friday morning to complete his season long loan deal from Rangers to Dunfermline. He told the website:-

“I am delighted to be here, I think that there is a lot to look forward to. It has obviously been a difficult situation with everything going on but this is the positive end of it and I am looking forward to what happens.

“I am from Lenzie and have been at Rangers for my whole football career, so that is home to me. I played three games while on loan to Partick before football got shut down and I enjoyed getting that taste of competitive football and playing in the Scottish Championship. That was part of the decision to come back out on loan again this season, I wanted to go and really have a go at it and fight for a place somewhere. I think Dunfermline is the right place for me to do that.”

Lewis did not need reminded that his last competitive match had been against Dunfermline in March while on loan to Partick Thistle, he commented:-

“I have already come up against Dunfermline, they have already seen me but I like the ambition of the club and the direction that they are trying to go in. That is something that I want to be a part of this season. I have been training since June and I have no excuses not to be fit, I am ready to go.”

“I have not been to East End Park before, it is a nice stadium and I am looking forward to playing in front of fans when it is safe to do so.”

Rangers boss Steven Gerrard had wanted his young centre back to go out on loan and get first team experience so the move was no real surprise to Lewis.

“I want to be competitive and fight for my place. I am naturally a centre half but have featured around the defence before. I have also played in the middle of the park for Rangers Reserves before.”

Lewis had looked at the club’s central defenders are, one is the captain so he is well aware that there is going to be a fight for a first team place.

“It is the same everywhere, if everyone is competitive then it will drive the standards up for everyone that is for sure. I am aware of the boys here and played against some of them last season for Partick so I know that it is a tough challenge.

“I have played with Rangers since I was seven and came right through the Academy all the way up to the top end. There were a few big names as coaches. Billy Kirkwood was one, he was really good with me, he is still keeping tabs on me and helping me out.

“Recent coaches have been the manager, Steven Gerrard, Mick Beale, Gary McAllister and Tom Culshaw. I was training with the first team last season before I went to Partick. Since then I have done pre season with the first team.”

Lewis trained with Dunfermline for the first time today and as centre half does not expect to come up against such formidable strikers as he has had to deal with at Rangers.

“Yes, it is a good challenge training every day against Jermaine Defoe and Alfredo Morelos. As a young player it is a great learning experience which is very valuable.”

Lewis was a Scotland sub in the U21s qualifier against Lithuania in Vilnius earlier this month and Scot Gemmill has named him in his squad for next month`s UEFA Under-21 Championship qualifiers against the Czech Republic on Friday 9 October at Tynecastle Park and away to San Marino on Tuesday 13 October.

Related Stories

• Pars sign on loan Ranger
• Season Ticket holders test event
• Sleepless nights ahead for Stevie
• Spartans 0 Dunfermline 3