Aaron Mclean is ready to seize the spotlight as City’s main man, by declaring: I don’t want to be a face in the crowd.
The 30-year-old pocket rocket welcomes all the pressure as he prepares to make his debut at Sheffield United tomorrow.
Dropping down from Premier League Hull to replace Nahki Wells, Mclean is happy to deal with the high expectations of the fans.
“I’ve not come here to just blend into the background,” he said. “I want to show people what I’m all about and hit the heights that I did a few years back.
“I’m not just going to be a face in the crowd.”
Mclean’s partnership with James Hanson promises to make it a tough afternoon for the Blades’ back four. The new signing is thrilled to be back in his best position – down the middle after playing various other roles with Hull and on loan.
“You have no idea! Over the last few years I’ve played in so many different positions and that’s no good for me.
“I got to the top level because I played as a striker and I scored goals. That’s what I’ve always been about.
“For one reason or another, managers have played me out wide and I’ll put a shift in. But if you want to see the best of me, play me in my position.
“I’m best in and around the goal and getting shots away. The closer I am to the goal the better.
“The manager told me that he plays 4-4-2 and I’m going to play as a striker on the shoulder (of a defender) – exactly where you want to be. It made the decision so easy for me.”
Mclean and Craig Mackail-Smith ripped up the lower leagues for Peterborough and he wants to recreate that success alongside Hanson.
Mclean will wear the number 21 shirt vacated by Wells – and is eager to fill his scoring boots.
He added: “I wouldn’t want it any other way. I wouldn’t want to be coming to a club that have nothing about them.
“He scored a lot of goals, which proves to me that this team can provide plenty of chances. I’m confident that if I get that service, I’ll score plenty.
“Hanson is an absolute handful, especially at this level. He’s done so well and I’m looking forward to playing with him.
"He’s younger than me and hopefully I can pass on some experience and help with his career as well. He is definitely one who can kick on – and that can be with Bradford.
“I’m excited by the whole prospect of playing with him because of the type of player he is. His characteristics will suit mine because we are totally different and I think we can link up well.”
Boss Phil Parkinson backs his new striker’s bravado and believes his arrival can breathe new life into a City attack that had grown stagnant in recent weeks.
Parkinson said: “Aaron wants to be the main man. He’s been at Hull, had a couple of loan moves and unfortunately for him been played out of position.
“He’s sometimes been a victim of his own honesty. You can stick him out wide knowing he’s not going to let you down.
“He’s not one of these forwards who won’t do the job for the side. So he’s not played where he wants, which is down the middle.
“That’s really why he got his move to Hull City because he’s very good at attacking the ball in the opposition penalty area.
“Don’t let supporters think we’ve signed an identical player to Nahki Wells. He’s a different type but he’ll do a similar job in my eyes.
“He’s more aggressive than Nahki. He will upset defenders and harass them and force mistakes.”
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