Livingston keeper Max Stryjek says he was confident about marking his Lions debut with a clean sheet against Rangers.
The Polish stopper earned rave reviews for his performance in Livi’s 0-0 home draw with the Glasgow giants on Sunday but the former Sunderland man says having several weeks to prepare meant he was in the best possible position to succeed.
Speaking to the Courier, he said: “I couldn’t really dream about a better start. To be playing a team like Rangers, live on TV, and to keep a clean sheet was brilliant.
“I had been preparing for a long time because I knew obviously that Robby McCrorie wasn’t going to be able to play.
“I prepared myself as best as I could and I was confident. I had three or four weeks to prepare so if I wasn’t ready at that point, I was never going to be ready.
“Before the game, I had a feeling that we would keep a clean sheet. I analysed everything and just had a positive mindset heading into the game.”
He added: “We kept our shape well and defended everything. They guys in front of me were brilliant. Rangers couldn’t really bother me for the first half and although they pressed us more in the second half, we made sure that we didn’t crumble and stood up to everything.”
The 24-year-old put pen to paper on a three-year deal with the Lions after spending a season with the English fifth tier side Eastleigh and he says the current Covid-19 pandemic meant he was never going to turn down the chance to move to West Lothian.
He commented: “I had moved back home to Poland at the end of March to be with my family and my girlfriend because I felt that I needed to be there, but when it came to June I was jobless.
“I was told by Eastleigh that I didn’t reply to their offer, but when I looked through my e-mails I didn’t see one but I guess it worked out well.
“Livingston offered a trial and I said ‘of course’. Self-isolation meant I had to come back to the UK two weeks before the trial. It worked out perfectly because they offered me a contract.
“It took almost no time at all to sign because it was such an easy decision. The Scottish leagues already had a confirmed start date whereas I didn’t know what was going to happen in England.
“Did I really want to turn down an opportunity to take a step up and play in the Scottish Premiership for something that might not happen in England, or when you don’t know when the league starts?”
Despite a starring role on Sunday, Stryjek could find himself on the bench this weekend when Livingston travel up to Aberdeen. He’s determined, though, to give his manager a decision to make every week.
“The boss said to me that he wanted two number one keepers,” he said.
“The coaching staff want me to perform to my highest level every day in training but also to make the most of my chances in games when I get them.
“That was obviously something that I intended to do anyway but I feel like I have done well. My chance came and I’m very happy that I was able to help the team get a point against Rangers.
“I didn’t have much to do but throughout the game I felt confident and I think I made the rest of the team confident.
“I will just make sure that I’m able to make the most of any chance I get at the club.”
