Barry Robson made his first appearance in Vancouver this morning as a Whitecap.
Robson was introduced to the media at a press conference at BC Place, before training with his new team-mates, and is keen and raring to go with the next stage of his career:
<i>"I want to try and make this Club successful because that’s what I’ve always based myself on. Everywhere I’ve went I’ve tried to be successful, I’ve tried to make the Club successful and I know how hard this Club is pushing to be up there and to try and win this League that we’re playing in or to get as far as we can in this League.
It’s going to be hard for me to get in to the team. They’re sitting in third and I’m thinking they don’t really need me here!</i>
[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]<i>
I can’t guarantee I’ll be brilliant every week but I can guarantee I’ll give you 110% and I don’t think you can ask more of any other person if they do that.
I’m glad to be here and I’m glad to get going."</i>
It's been 123 days since the Whitecaps announced that the Scottish international would be the team's second Designated Player for this season and third in the Caps' history.
In that time, the Caps have fought their way into third spot in the West and are looking a good bet for a playoff spot. With the Caps midfield the weakest area of the current team, the addition of an experienced internationalist will certainly help take the Caps up to the next level.
Has Robson had much of a chance to watch much MLS action and if so, what does he think?
<i>"I think it’s good.
I think it’s different to what I’m used to. Sometimes it can be a bit slower but there are some unbelievably athletic players.
It’s been hard to see as many games as I would have liked."</i>
Robson is coming to Vancouver after a tough season with Middlesbrough in the English Championship. His 9 goals in 39 appearances wasn't enough to help Boro claim a playoff spot and Barry himself remained goalless in his final ten appearances for the Club.
He comes here with a proven goalscoring record throughout his career. With 99 goals from 505 competitive Club matches in Scotland and England, and 17 international caps to his name, his next goal will not only be his first as a Whitecap but also his 100th career goal as a professional.
Something a bit special for both Barry and the fans to look forward to.
Whitecaps fans will still have to wait a little bit longer before they can see Barry Robson in action in a Caps jersey (although he will be signing autographs in the Bell Box at 7pm on Wednesday night, so get along and meet him).
Although he will start training with the team tomorrow, he is not eligible to play until the game in Colorado on July 4th and with Robson's recent history of debuts, there are bound to be some fireworks that night!
He was sent off in his debut for Dundee United in August 2003, in the 2-1 home loss to Hibs. Happier times were to come in February 2008, when he had a dream debut for Celtic, coming on as a sub at Pittodrie and burying a 20 yard free kick with his first touch of the ball, as the Celts ran out 5-1 winners over Aberdeen.
Barry's Champions League debut came ten days later with Celtic and he found himself on the scoresheet once again, this time against Barcelona at Parkhead.
His actual debut for Middlesbrough was an 1-0 loss away to Sheffield United in January 2010, but on his home debut (and second game) two week's later, he was sent off again, in the 0-0 draw with Bristol City!
Never a dull moment, so we asked Barry what can Vancouver fans expect to see from him on his Whitecaps debut?
<i>"Hah, I dunno. Let’s hope I don’t get sent off again!
I wear my heart on my sleeve. That’s the type of guy I am.
I’m going to work hard. I’m going to go into tackles. I’m going to try and win football matches. Sometimes you get booked and sometimes these things happen but that’s football.
Hopefully it can be a good debut and the thing is it doesn’t matter how I play on my debut or anything else. If we come back with the three points, that’s all I’m interested in."</i>
With two goals in his first three games for Celtic, and five goals in his first ten games for Boro, we can only hope that we see his introduction into Major League Soccer at the same levels of impact.
Welcome to Vancouver Barry. Go get 'em.
<p>
[** You can find a slideshow of Christopher Vose's photos from today's press conference <a href="
<p>