Mees Rijks has enjoyed his start to life at Bristol Rovers and cannot wait to play in front of the Gasheads at The Memorial Stadium for the first time this weekend.
The striker made his debut off the bench for the Pirates in their 1-0 loss away to Milton Keynes Dons on Tuesday night, but after some time away from BS7, Rovers now face three straight games at home in Sky Bet League Two.
The Gas will host local rivals Newport County on Saturday, before two more fourth-tier outings against Walsall and Chesterfield. However, all of the focus will be on the early kick-off against the Exiles, with only one point separating the two teams.
Speaking to the media for the first time, Rijks explained how excited he is to make his home debut for the Pirates.
“It’s always special [to make a home debut] and especially at The Memorial Stadium," he said. "I think if you don’t like pressure, you’re in the wrong line of work. I’ve heard the atmosphere is great, and it’s just a great stadium. The fans are amazing, I’ve seen them at the away matches, and they are amazing, so I can only imagine what they are like at the home matches."
It has been a busy week for Rijks. The striker was announced as the Gas' sixth signing of the January transfer window just hours before replacing Ellis Harrison from the bench against MK Dons on Tuesday night.
The 22-year-old was looking to get off to the perfect opportunity in English football and had a half-chance to score almost immediately after appearing off the bench, curling a right-footed strike from the edge of the box just over the bar.
Rijks reflected on his first week at the Gas and suggested it was an easy decision to join the Club despite having interest from elsewhere.
“It was quite a busy week, but it was a lovely week," said Rijks. "When I started hearing about the concrete interest was probably like a week or two ago, and then after that it went quickly.
"There is so much quality in the squad. The players are amazing, and the training facilities are amazing. We have a great coach and great staff. Everything is taken care of so well, and our Club doesn’t reflect what we are as you look at the table. I have so much confidence in it and everyone here.
"I had some options, but it was quite an easy decision. Everything was adding up, and it was so great. I arrived last week on Wednesday, and I had to wait a bit for training because of all the paperwork, but it’s awesome."
For any striker, goals are the most important part of their game. Fellow forward Fabrizio Cavegn had to wait seven games for his first Sky Bet League Two goal, but is now up to nine in the fourth tier, with the 23-year-old now up to 13 across all competitions.
Rijks knows he might have to be patient in the blue-and-white quarters but understands the importance of hitting the back of the net.
“Of course, you want that [first goal], but I also need to be patient with myself," he said. "I’m so hungry to be on the pitch and help the team as much as I can with a goal or an assist or just to win the match. That’s what it’s all about for me.
“I enjoy scoring goals, and that’s the most important thing in my position. I can enjoy it all. I enjoy the fight of it that we had last Tuesday, but I can also enjoy the link-up play and the positional play, but the nicest thing is to score a goal."
Despite only being 22, Rijks has already played for teams in three separate countries, starting at Utrecht in the Netherlands before switching to Vålerenga in Norway. A brief loan spell to De Graafschap saw him return to his homeland, but he is now in England with the Pirates.
It could be argued that English football is more global than any other nation, with Rijks describing why he loves
“It’s the holy grail of football," he said. "Even the second league in England is so massive. Everything below that is something else.
“All of the best players have played in the English league, and all of your idols, from [Cristiano] Ronaldo to everyone. What I like so much about the English league is that you have great stories of players going from League Two and League One to the Premier League or Championship. That’s something that’s great."
