Former Rangers, Bradford City and Sligo Rovers man Jordan Gibson on his move to Carlisle United

The attacking midfielder has spoken about his move to the Blues from League of Ireland outfit Sligo Rovers.

Gibson says his spell in Ireland has been good for his game – and believes he can flourish at Brunton Park.

“I was with Bradford for three years [beforehand] and it was a difficult time,” he said. “I had a little taste for it, but that was coming off the bench now and again, mostly.

“It was a difficult time to be there with so many managers and I was trying to work my through into the first team.

“It wasn’t the best of patches in terms of my career so it was about going somewhere where I was going to play football.

“It was a different league [in Ireland] and it gave me a different feel for different cultures and I was able to express myself.

“I had a clean slate so I went there to show that I could do well. I played a lot of football and now I just want to kick on.

“When this opportunity came to come back into the league it was one I jumped at. I’ve had the experience of playing games and I’ve shown my ability across the water, and I want to do the same in this league and for this cub now.”

United paid a fee to secure Gibson’s services and the former Rangers youngster said the fact the Blues were so keen to sign him was a major factor.

“When a club wants you it’s a really big plus,” he said. “I spoke with the gaffer [Beech] and he’s seen attributes in my game that he feels he can improve and develop.

“He wants to work with me as a player and that’s massive for me at this stage in my career. I feel like I’ve got what it takes but it’s just about tweaking what I do so that the best comes out of me.

“There was a bit of interest [from Carlisle] at this time last year, and I actually spoke with the gaffer in July. It didn’t materialise then, but I found out a week into August that there had been a couple of bids.

“It was just about trying to keep my head down at Sligo and helping them at the same time as trying to push this through. It’s nice that it’s done now.

“It was going on for a couple of weeks with the interest and stuff, and it’s been a bit of a distraction, so to finally get here is exactly what I wanted to happen.

“It was a nightmare weekend getting over, to be honest – I left there at half six in the morning, got a ferry from Belfast, which was three hours from Sligo, and then I drove down from Scotland.

“As soon as my agent told me to get on my way I was in my car and over here. It’s an opportunity I jumped at and I’m excited to be here. I’m just ready to work hard and help the team now.”

Gibson is one of a string of former Bradford players to arrive at United in recent times and he hopes he can follow the likes of Joe Riley and Omari Patrick in developing their careers at Brunton park.

“I’ve seen a few of the boys who went from Bradford to here and they’re doing really well for themselves,” he said.

“I talked to Joe Riley before I came and he talked about the pressing and intensity because the manager wants us to get after teams. That’s my game in a nutshell. I like to win the ball high up the pitch and make chances, and I think that’s why I’ll fit into this team.

“I also played with Omari, even though he’s gone now, and I know this club is good for the youth players coming through as well as the younger players they bring in.

“It’s a club that develops players and I’m excited to be given a chance here.

“I remember seeing them top of the league in January and I was regretting it a little bit that I hadn’t come in the July. When the interest came up again I had to make sure I joined and hopefully we can go one better this season.”

Gibson said he was grateful to Sligo for the opportunity they gave him – whilst noting that the intensity of training has gone up a level at Carlisle.

“I can’t thank Sligo enough for the chance they gave me,” he said.

“The last eight months have been brilliant. I’m here now, I'm a Carlisle player, but Sligo did a lot for me and the gaffer there was tremendous with me.

“He knew I wanted to come back to England and he helped me a lot to make it happen, and I have to thank him for that.

“I really enjoyed my time there. It’s a great club. Seamus Coleman and Eoin Doyle both played there and they kicked on as well. It’s a lovely, peaceful town with great people, and I really enjoyed being with them.”

On his early days at Brunton Park, Gibson added: “The intensity in training over the last couple of days here is a lot higher than there. It was the same at Bradford, but it is different over there.

“I’ve played a lot of games and trained all season but I have to adapt to what’s needed over here again.

“It’s a good standard in Ireland but I’ve been out of the English league for over a year now, so it’s about getting back up to the speed of where I need to be at.

“I’m ready, I’m fit and I’m excited. It was in the season over in Ireland so I’ve played games.

“As I said, the intensity in training has been high so I need to match that, and it’s whether the gaffer wants me on the bench or whatever now.

“I’ve missed the fans back in England, I’m really looking forward to that.”

Gibson, who could be in the squad to face Salford City tomorrow, hopes to increase United’s attacking threat when he gets the opportunity.

“I like to think I’m direct, I like to carry the ball forward and I think I have a burst of pace to get in behind and hurt teams,” he said.

“I enjoy one-v-ones, scoring goals and making chances.

“I didn’t really play a lot of football at Bradford in terms of starts so for me to go to Ireland and get consecutive 90 minutes was important.

“I’ve been able to show that I can score and assist and it’s been a big confidence booster.

“There’s still a lot more to come from me with positioning and knowing when to make runs in behind, and stuff like that, and I think the gaffer will help me to add a lot more to my game.”

On the prospect of his debut, the new signing added: “I’ve thought about it ever since the interest was there, to be honest with you. Getting back out there in front of fans will be superb.

“The Covid situation in Ireland means that there haven’t been many there, but I’ve seen the atmosphere at Hartlepool and here at Brunton Park and I just want to be part of it.”