Livingston goalie Max Stryjek ready to welcome challenge on the park and friendship off it with Lions set to welcome new keeper

Livingston goalkeeper Max Stryjek insists fighting for the number one spot will bring out the best in him.

The Lions are hoping to welcome Russian keeper Ivan Konovalov to the club soon with the former Rubin Kazan stopper in the process of getting his work permit approved.

There hasn’t been genuine competition for the starting berth since September when youngster Daniel Barden was diagnosed with testicular cancer and returned to his parent club, Norwich City, for treatment.

Barden’s absence left Livi with 39-year-old Gary Maley as the only other senior keeper with young American Brian Schwake on a season long loan spell at League Two side Edinburgh City.

And Stryjek says he will welcome his Russian counterpart both on and off the pitch.

He said: “It’s really tough for a goalkeeper mentally when you are not really getting enough competition.

“I am looking forward to getting to know him and being able to practice my Russian as well.

“I speak Russian. With my girlfriend sometimes we talk Russian and we watch Russian TV programmes. It will be good to practice it in real life.

“On the pitch, we will challenge each other but outside of it we have to help each other. I’m looking forward to helping him settle because I know how hard it is to come over from abroad and to adapt to a new environment.”

He added: “It is hard, but if you are mature enough you understand the situation, that there is only one spot to play and the manager makes that decision.

“You have to be respectful to each other and to the manager’s choice.

“At the end of the day, we are in the same team and same boat and if we do well then everyone is happy.”

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