Airdrie new boy Griffin Sabatini insists the wonderkid tag that came with his eye-catching switch from Dnipro won’t impact on him this season.
The Swiss midfielder was one of a number of interesting signings for the Diamonds this summer, including Frenchman Thomas Robert from Montpellier.
However, the 22-year-old doesn’t believe it adds any pressure ahead of the big kick-off in League One.
“I just want to focus on my football,” he said.
“I feel like I play well when I am under pressure. I don’t really think about what people have to say and when I am on the pitch I just play.
“I don’t think about what people say before or after the game. I just try to give 110 per cent and do everything I can to help the team both on and off the ball.
“I try to be as sharp as possible and stay as focussed as I can. The most important thing for me is to help the team to get the win.
“I don’t feel any added pressure and just want to do my best to help the team.”
Since leaving the Ukranian top flight, Sabatini has enjoyed getting to grips with Scottish football in the his short spell in North Lanarkshire so far.
“The game here is quite fast and you have to be quite fit to keep up with play,” he continued.
“There has been quite a lot of running off the ball, so stylistically it’s been an adjustment.
“Overall I’ve really been enjoying it so far and getting game time in the Betfred Cup.
“Airdrie is packed with young talent and veterans and I think the combination will be very good for us.”
He only has one thing on his mind as he prepares to start the league campaign against Peterhead this weekend – and that is the League One title.
Sabatini added: “Promotion is the target, 100 per cent.
“We want to win the league and I think we have all the resources around us to do just that.
“We have a very good squad and experienced players who can guide the younger players.
“Winning the league is definitely on my mind and it’s one of the main goals for me.
“We want to start positively and build momentum by winning games.
“It can build up the dressing room and if we start off with a win it will be a big boost for morale.”
Follow Lanarkshire Live Sport on Twitter via @LanLiveSport, like us on Facebook or find us on Instagram for the latest sports news, pictures and video.
