Queen of the South goalie aims to compete for number one jersey

Queen of the South keeper Gordon Botterill is here to compete for the number one jersey.

The Swiss shot stopper featured three times for the Doonhamers at the end of last season before signing a one-year extension last month.

Botterill, 25, thanked manager Marvin Bartley for giving him an opportunity to impress at the end of the last campaign and said he’s loving every minute at Queens.

He will face a fight for the starting spot with Murray Johnson joining on loan from Hibs. He said: “It’s a competitive sport and I’m here to compete. Fortunately the manager gave me a chance at the end of the season.

“But I’ve always been ready whenever I’ve been in the squad and ready, fit and available to play and I’ve always had that in my mind. I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. I signed in January when the gaffer came in. I’ve enjoyed every minute of it with the team and the keepers and Gordon Marshall.

“It’s a great group to be a part of and it’s been good fun. We tried to progress as much as we could at the back end of last season and do our bit as keepers to make the results go our way. We put a good shift in. It’s been good to have been exposed to League One and I feel I can compete and give my all for the team.”

Botterill got his first taste of Palmerston in the final game of the season starting between the sticks in a 4-1 win over Kelty Hearts.

He said: “I was very happy to get out there in the last game of the season as well and hear the Queens faithful when we score which was a nice buzz as well.

“I was happy to contribute. It’s always nice to make a difference. You don’t want to be too busy so you try to have an impact on the game by communicating as much as you can and be in the right areas. But when you have