Black ready to battle for Blackpool

New recruit Ian Black says he was only too happy to grab the opportunity of playing for Blackpool with both hands.
Ian Black playing for ShrewsburyIan Black playing for Shrewsbury
Ian Black playing for Shrewsbury

The 31-year-old midfielder, who signed until the end of the season following his release from Shrewsbury Town last month, was ineligible to face Crewe last weekend but is expected to be involved at Exeter this afternoon.

The former Rangers man, who was linked with a move to Bloomfield Road back in 2015, said it was a no-brainer to make the move.

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Black said: “I was shopping about for offers, and I spoke to the manager (Gary Bowyer) and it was one I had to grab with both hands, especially considering the location, with me living in Preston with the wife and the little one.

“I’ve got an opportunity to come into a great club with a great manager.

“I live on the doorstep and my wife’s content, so that gives me more focus to do what I do best.

“The gaffer didn’t have to sell much. He just asked if I was interested and straight away I said yes.

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“Obviously I’ve played against Blackpool and have seen them over the years. It’s a club I like and I just wanted to join in.”

Black has made a name for himself as a tough-tackler and he has been described by Bowyer as a “dying breed”, but the Scot insists there is far more to his game.

He added: “When you play football you play to win. That’s how I was brought up.

“You have to be better than your opponent. I’m never going to go out to hurt anybody but I want to make sure I come out with the ball. Once I’ve won the battle, I’ll play.

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“My concentration is on trying to play, create stuff and drive the team through, but when it comes to the nitty-gritty side of it I certainly won’t shy away.”

Black has been involved in training all week and can see no reason why the club shouldn’t be involved in the promotion hunt.

He added: “I came here to achieve things and it’s the same drive right through the squad.

“With the squad we’ve got, I think we should be doing better than we are.

“But from the days I’ve spent training with the lads, there’s no doubt about it that we should be in the play-offs, if not higher.”