Mair: I'll give saints much mair than 100 per cent!

Jun 22 2009 by Paul Behan, Paisley Daily Express

ACTION man Lee Mair last night warned he is not coming to St Mirren Park to be a bit-part player.

And he vowed to fight for a starting jersey when the new season starts.

But he knows he faces stiff competition from fellow Saints centre halves John Potter and Will Haining.

But the 28-year-old former Aberdeen defender says he’s up for the battle and intends to nail down a black and white jersey.

He said: “I see this move as a chance to play regular football.

“At Aberdeen, I was in and out of the team and that was frustrating because all I want to do is play and, hopefully, moving to St Mirren will give me a better chance of that.

“At the end of the day, if you play well, then you’ll get to keep the jersey and that’s what I intend doing.”

However, with Potter and Haining as his rivals, Mair knows that the competition for places is going to be intense.

He said: “There’s no doubt that John Potter and Will Haining are very good players and over the course of last season, they kept a few clean sheets.

“But competition is good. I welcome it because it can bring out the best in a player and that’s all you can ask for.

“No-one is guaranteed a place in the team and I certainly know that.

“But I’m excited about the prospect of being at St Mirren next season and look forward to the challenges that lie ahead.”

Mair promised Saints fans he’ll put everything into the cause next season in an attempt to win the hearts and minds of the supporters as soon as possible.

He added: “I think the St Mirren fans will see a player who will be giving 100 per cent in every game he plays because I’m not one who likes second best.

“Hopefully that sort of attitude can rub off and we can go on to have a good season.”