Grant McCann is raring to go ahead of his first league game in charge of Rovers.
McCann's side travel to Southend United on the opening day, looking to kick off the 2018/19 Sky Bet League One season with a positive result, and he is eager to be back in the dugout following his time out of the game.
“I’m excited and I’m looking forward to getting back to it, of course there’s a sense of nerves, if you didn’t it wouldn’t mean anything to you, as it approaches the nerves will kick in a bit more but that’s a good thing,” he said.
“The nerves stop as soon as the whistle goes and you get into game mode and you’re ready to go and try and win the game, I’m looking forward to it now, it was a long three months out of the game, but I have learnt a lot more as a result.
“These last four or five weeks have been really pleasing, the group have been great, and it’s been an absolute pleasure, but now we have to go out and deliver in the regular season now and make it a success.”
Rovers make the trip down to Essex on Saturday with virtually a fully fit squad to choose from, and McCann believes the team have prepared well for the challenge that the Shrimpers will provide at Roots Hall.
“We start with a tough one, Southend were strong at home last season, but we’re going down there to worry about ourselves, whatever Chris Powell does with his players is his business, my job is to ensure we’re firmly focused on the task in hand,” he added.
“We’ve had a good pre-season, we’ve scored a lot of goals, albeit against non-league teams, but the boys have enjoyed the way we’re training and the way we’re playing, we’re playing with freedom, and there’s a real hunger and desire within the group.
“There’s a lot of teams spending a lot of money in this league now to try and get up, but we have to make sure we hit the challenge head on, we want to express ourselves in every game and then hopefully we can forge a challenge ourselves.”
Rovers kick-off their Sky Bet League One campaign at Southend United on Saturday August 4, before their first home outing against Wycombe Wanderers the following Saturday.
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