Pressure? Huh?

Colchester United new boy Steven Gillespie has revealed he does not feel any pressure, despite being the U’s record signing.

Gillespie, who signed from Cheltenham Town, cost the U’s over £400,000, a fee that beats the £350,000 paid out for Chris Coyne in January.

The 23-year-old, who netted 16 goals last season, as the Robins avoided relegation, is seen as a ready-made replacement for Ipswich Town bound Kevin Lisbie.

Speaking to The Colchester Gazette, Gillespie insisted: ‘I don’t feel the pressure.

‘The money that was paid is out of my hands – I just want to better myself.’

The Liverpool-born front-runner rejected approaches from other clubs, after handing in a transfer request last week, to join Geraint Williams side.

‘There were other teams interested in me but when I spoke to the manager, his main goal is to get Colchester back into the Championship straight away,’ added Gillespie.

‘He likes to play good football and play the game in the right way.

‘Colchester scored a lot of goals in the Championship last season and created a lot of chances.

‘I haven’t had a chance to look at the new stadium yet but I’ve heard all about it.

‘With the possibility of the new training ground on the way, these are exciting times for the club.’

Gillespie is looking forward to the challenge of winning a starting-berth, he said: ‘I know all about Kevin Lisbie, Scott Vernon and Clive Platt and it will definitely be a challenge to get into the team.

‘I scored goals in League One last season and now I want to move to the next level and progress as a player.

‘It’s important we get off to a good start and I want to start scoring goals as quickly as possible,’ Gillespie concluded.


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