Ripley is ready to fight for his place

HEALTHY COMPETITION . . . Athletic's new goalkeeper Connor Ripley

CONNOR Ripley is relishing the prospect of a battle for the number one spot at Athletic next season.

Goalkeeper Ripley (23) - the son of former England, Middlesbrough and Blackburn winger Stuart - has arrived at SportsDirect.com Park on a season-long loan deal from the Riverside Stadium giants.

However, he isn't the only stopper in his new club's still sparse squad, with new manager Stephen Robinson also having drafted in Scottish under-21 international Chris Kettings on a one-year deal earlier this week.

CONFIDENT

Ripley is confident he'll make his Athletic move a success, of course, but there will clearly be no complacency in his attitude as the battle for a starting place in the Sky Bet League One opener at Millwall hots up.

"Nothing's guaranteed here," said Ripley.

"I am here to fight for my position - I don't expect anything different, really.

"I was in the same situation at Motherwell (last season, when Robinson was assistant manager at Fir Park). I had Craig Sampson competing with me and he's a Scottish international.

"I fought against him and I managed to keep my place.

"There's no difference now I'm here with Chris. He's a great 'keeper too.

"I've trained with him a few times now and he's got great attributes. I'm looking forward to the competition.

"Some people don't really like that competition, but we're going to push each other and I personally always think that's a good thing.

"Hopefully I'll be number one and keep him out of the team, but we'll have to see now.

EXPERIENCE

"I would like to think I've come on loan here to play games and get my experience, but it's up to the gaffer now."

Ripley played regularly last term while on loan at Fir Park, and he's expecting an equally hectic 2016-17 campaign, providing he gets the nod from the manager of course.

Asked about what to expect once the season proper gets under way, Ripley added: "If I'm going to be honest I think I'll be a busy 'keeper.

"There are some very good sides in this division, and it's certainly going to be a tough start away at Millwall.

"We'll have a young side and I'm not expecting it to be an easy season.

"If I do play I'll be expecting to have a few shots to save.

"It's all great experience for me, though. I have got another couple of years at Middlesbrough, but coming here is always going to make me a better goalkeeper.

"The more the better for me - I think I'd prefer to have a few shots to save.

CHALLENGE

"I really enjoyed my challenge at Motherwell, and this is a chance I'm relishing just as much.

"I didn't know what was going to happen up at Middlesbrough to be honest.

"Therefore once the gaffer here rang me and asked me to come, I bit his hand off.

"I'm really excited. It was an easy decision for me."