I didn't have to be asked twice!

Jun 30 2009 by Jeff Holmes, Paisley Daily Express

FORMER Scotland goalkeeper Paul Gallacher signed a two-year deal with St Mirren yesterday and declared: “It was the easiest decision I’ve ever made.”

The 29-year-old shot-stopper became Gus MacPherson’s latest summer signing and said he is thrilled to be back in the SPL.

Gallacher, who has made the switch from First Division outfit Dunfermline Athletic, told Express Sports: “I had a look around the place, spoke to the manager and he made it clear he wanted me at the club.

“It was one of the easiest decisions I’ve had to make but I’m well aware the hard work starts here.

“There are two good goalkeepers already at this club and I’ll have a fight on my hands to make the number one jersey mine.”

Express Sports understands that Saints fought off competition from at least one other SPL side – believed to be St Johnstone – to sign Gallacher.

The experienced goalie had two years left to run on his contract at Dunfermline but St Mirren have not had to pay a transfer fee.

By allowing Gallacher to leave, the Pars will cut their wage bill – a task faced by the vast majority of Scottish clubs and, in particular, some of those playing outside the SPL.

Now the former Paisley schoolboy is looking forward to challenging Mark Howard for the number one jersey next season – and playing in the SPL is sure to boost his bid to make a return to the Scotland squad.

Gallacher said: “I don’t see myself getting back into the national side but that’s not to say I lack ambition. First and foremost, I want to do a job for Saints.”

MacPherson said he is “delighted” to have secured Gallacher’s signature.

He told Express Sports: “It was well documented that we were looking for a goalkeeper because of the injury situation at the club. It was important to get someone in and we had a list of goalkeepers recommended but Paul was at the top of our list.”

Now he is expecting an interesting battle to develop between Gallacher and Howard for the right to be first pick between the sticks next season.

MacPherson said: “It’s important to have competition for places and we will certainly have that in the goalkeeping department.”

Gallacher, who has eight international caps, started off his career at Dundee United and went on to make 138 appearances for the Tangerines.

He moved south of the border to Norwich City in the summer of 2004 and it wasn’t to be the happiest of times as he managed just 35 appearances in three-and-a-half years at Carrow Road, going out on loan to Gillingham, Sheffield Wednesday and Dunfermline.

Gallacher then sealed a permanent move to the Pars and helped the Fifers reach last season’s Scottish Cup semi-finals.

Meanwhile, MacPherson has also confirmed that he is bringing Blackburn Rovers youngster Bryan Hodge to St Mirren Park on trial.

The 20-year-old Scot, who is a left-sided midfielder, will join the Buddies for pre-season training in a bid to win a deal.