New Dons defender Nesta Guinness-Walker was the player who spoke to the media on Tuesday to preview our trip to Queen of the South in the Premier Sports Cup.
RedTV subscribers can watch his press conference now.
A busy few weeks
“It has been busy, but I’ve loved it. I’ve settled in almost immediately. It’s a really good changing room. The manager, all the staff and backroom staff, everyone’s made me feel really comfortable, so it was just good for me to focus straight on my football. I’m loving life at the minute.
“The size of the club and the expectation at this football club is something that brought me here. The expectancy to achieve and do well is something I’m really looking forward to embracing."
Dons connections
“I’ve had a few teammates in England who have played in Scotland. The likes of Dean Campbell and Terry Taylor, who obviously came through at Aberdeen, are close friends of mine. When I heard there was interest, I touched base with them and they told me how big a club it is and what an honour it is to play for Aberdeen. That was something that made it a no-brainer for me.
“The club sells itself, but that was the final little bit that pushed it over for me. They had nothing but good things to say about the club and that’s obviously very important."
Performing under pressure
“I just try to focus game by game and perform at my best every time I get the chance to put the shirt on. As a group, there’s a real expectancy at the club to achieve and compete. You have to embrace that and that’s what we should be doing this year.
“I think we all know last year was a bit below par and this is the chance to put it right and improve this year.
“I think that was something that drew me to the club. I thrive under that pressure. It’s a blessing and a privilege to have that type of pressure to go out there, achieve and perform.
“It’s something that brought me to the club. I want to have that pressure. I want to have that expectancy from the fans, from people in the building and from each other as teammates to perform and do well."
A famous relative
“It’s usually like that when I first sign for a club (getting asked about his Great Grandfather, Alec Guinness). I get swarmed with the questions, but I’m definitely not sick of it.
“I touched on it when I signed here. It’s not something that, as a family or me as a person, we shy away from.
"He did amazing things in his career and was a real idol in our family for how successful he was. It’s something you can take inspiration from.
“I don’t know if I’d say I’m competing with him, but it’s definitely a chance for me to create my own form of legacy in my own way and do something that makes my family proud. It’s something I strive for."
Pre-season
“Obviously the timescale is a bit different from England, so that was a bit of an adjustment period for me. But I’m a good professional. I keep myself in good shape, so even though I am playing a little bit of catch-up in terms of fitness, I feel strong and I feel ready.
“As a footballer, that’s all you want, games coming thick and fast. Playing for three points is even better."
Bringing the ability
“For me as a player, I pride myself on energy and getting up and down the pitch. I always want the ball and try to create things and get the fans off their feet, so hopefully I can bring that to Aberdeen this year.
"Honestly, I’ve loved it from the first day. I felt really embraced by everyone in the building, the manager, all the coaching staff and my teammates. It’s a really good group and there’s a real infectious energy about the place this season, from my experience. There are real positives to look forward to this year.
“There’s obviously expectancy and pressure from outside, but the manager is big on the demands we set on ourselves as a group. That’s something we’ll definitely be enforcing within the building.”
