Gormley on making the move to McDiarmid

After his arrival on loan from Peterborough United on Transfer Deadline Day, new St. Johnstone striker Joe Gormley spoke to the waiting media on Wednesday morning.

In the press conference the Northern Irishman talked about the idea of coming up agaist his former Cliftonville strike partner, Liam Boyce, now playing for Ross County, this season.

Gormley said: “I had two great seasons at Cliftonville, breaking records with 37 goals then 41. That’s what I want to get back to.

“I am really good friends with Liam and I spoke to him about the move.

“Liam has been doing really well in Scotland so it would be good to follow in his footsteps.

“He is already talking about us playing against each other. I am used to being in the same side and he set-up loads of my goals at Cliftonville. He probably claims he got me my move to England!

“Of the 37 goals I got in the last season when we played together he created the majority of them. I love playing with creative players like Liam and I’m sure there will be guys here I can strike up an understanding with.”

Gormley was rated one of Northern Ireland’s top talents after back-to-back record-breaking campaigns.

He followed up a 37-goal haul with 41 strikes for the champions, capturing the 2013/14 Ulster Footballer of the Year award.

“I just need to play games after coming back from the injury and get back to scoring goals,” he said.

“It has been the toughest year of my life, coming hard on the heels of great seasons at Cliftonville. I was so low after the surgery a year ago but I have worked hard to get to where I am now and everything is positive.

“Hopefully I can repay the manager for showing faith in me by scoring goals for St Johnstone.

“It’s good that he comes from Northern Ireland but that won’t help me get in the team. That’s down to me. But I know I can play at this level.

“I have been training and trying to break into the Peterborough team. I’ve played reserve games and I will be ready to go into the squad here for the game against Partick Thistle after the international break.

“I was on a high when I got the move to Peterborough. It was the chance I wanted to play full-time football.

“I had played a few friendlies and scored five goals and picked up man of the match awards against Spurs and West Ham. It was going so well before the injury.

“I have more drive than ever after being out so long. Family and friends back home have supported me and I want to repay them and the people at Peterborough.”