NEW Clydebank signing Johnny Allan admits his heart was set on Clydebank from the second he knew the club were interested.

The 22-year-old midfielder joined the Bankies last week following a spell with amateur side Tower Hearts. The Shettleston based side reached the semi final of each tournament they entered last season and were only pipped to the league title on the final day — with Allan integral to the side throughout.

And, speaking to SportScene, the new man told of his decision to join the Bankies ranks.

He said: “I’m delighted to be given the opportunity to sign for the club.

“The minute I knew that Budgie was in for me and interested then I knew Clydebank was the club that I wanted to play for, my heart was set.

“I had a few other offers to go in for training and a concrete one from Shettleston but I knew that I wanted to go to Clydebank from the get go.

“It was just by chance that I went along to see Clydebank with my dad earlier this year and it was there I got the opportunity to see the club and I was impressed with what I saw — I knew there and then that Clydebank was the sort of football team that I wanted to play for.

The competitive junior card kicks off this Saturday with the Bankies traveling to Maryhill as they bid to kickstart their defence of the Sectional League Cup.

And, Allan insists retaining the trophy is one of the club’s main aims, whilst he has targets of his own over the course of the season.

He added: “The aim this year is to get regular football which is going to be tough at such a young age.

“But, I want to do well once I get in the team and hopefully get the opportunity to show what I can do.

“I’m hoping to bed myself in and get a game every week.

“As a club I think we just want to win as many games as possible and continue the success the club has had over the past few seasons as well as defending the Sectional League Cup and Central League Cup from last year.” Having featured throughout Clydebank’s pre season campaign Allan has slotted in well with the new dressing room. There is much change in the Bankies’ ranks with the fellow additions of Graham Mort, Jordan Shelvey, Andy Irvine, Stevie Gardiner and Graeme Ramage, with only Ross McPherson, Ciaran McElroy and Vinny Berry departing the club.

Despite the unfamiliar surroundings, Allen insists he has settled well into life in the juniors, with the dressing room making him and the new recruits feel welcome at the club.

He said: “I’m really, really enjoying it, it is a great side with some great guys and there is a fantastic atmosphere in the dressing room.

“The coaches here are brilliant and I like the way that they like to play football, a 3-5-2 really suits my position as a centre midfielder and that was one of the things that helped me make my decision.

“You have the likes of Austin McCann and Paul Bell who are really good with the younger players, trying to get them on the ball and always available for advice which is great to have in any dressing room.

“The more experienced guys are a great tool to have.” Having landed himself a deal at one the country’s most successful junior sides in the past 10 years, Allen doesn’t forget his roots and the helping hands he has received along the way.

He reserved special praise for the coaches who have made his move a possibility.

He added: “I would like to thank my coach Neil Wells, who was a coach at Knightswood, he spoke to Budgie about me and that gave me an opportunity to go in and try and impress.

“The Tower Hearts boys as well are a great bunch of lads. I really enjoyed my time there and although it was a disappointing end being pipped to the title on the last day of the season it is a great side with some great players playing for them.”