Goal scoring debutant Liam McAlinden thrilled with start to life at the Meadow
Wolves loanee Liam McAlinden was thrilled to make a perfect start to his time at Town after he scored just minutes after being introduced from the subs bench to seal a 2-0 victory over Gillingham.
The Northern Irishman has joined on a three-month deal and his goal nine minutes from time marked his first ever Football League goal.
“It’s a great start for me to score,” said McAlinden.
“To get the win as well is good. It was much needed, especially against Gillingham because they were on the same points as us, so we go three points ahead of them now and obviously to get the goal was great.
“The gaffer put me on to score goals and that’s why I’m here. I’ve done it, and we’ve won so it’s the best thing.
“I’m used to those ones, getting in down the left hand channel, I’ve scored plenty of goals like that for Wolves, so hopefully now I’m here I’ll get a few more.”
The addition of McAlinden, and another loanee Cristian Lopez has given Graham Turner much needed attacking options and Liam is hopeful he is given the chance to show what he can do on a regular basis.
“Tom’s got a few goals this season already and Cristian came in as well and had a good game. Being here for him is obviously hard as well being Spanish and coming in to meet the lads and stuff. I just have to make sure I take my chance when it comes.
“It’s a great opportunity. It’s what I’ve been wanting all season really. There’s four strikers ahead of me at Wolves so I’ve been waiting on my chance there but now I’ve come out to try and get chances at Shrewsbury and I’m looking to score plenty of goals and prove to everyone that I can play at this level.”
The striker is hoping to send Wolves boss Kenny Jackett a clear message by impressing, and scoring, regularly for Town and he has been impressed by the quality in the team and the backroom staff.
“That’s what I’m here to do – score goals. I want to show that I can play in the league, obviously both Wolves and Shrewsbury are in the same league so if I can impress here and show him [Jackett] I can score goals then that’s what I’m hoping to achieve.
“It’s a good team here. I’ve obviously come from Wolves where we’re one of the favourites to go up and I’ve come to a team like Shrewsbury and there’s not much difference to the quality of the training. We’ve got a good gaffer here and hopefully I can improve as a player from being here.”
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