Shearer will add element of experience to a young dressing room

Steve Davis has told crewealex.net that experienced goalkeeper Scott Shearer ‘ticked all the boxes’ when he decided to sign him as a player/coach this summer. Although Shearer only featured in 14 of Rotherham’s promotion winning season, Davis says having the 33-year-old around the place will only add some vital experience.

Shearer will help coach Ben Garratt and other emerging young goalkeepers, but he is primarily here to challenge for the number one spot. Davis says that driving ambition was one of the main reasons why Shearer was chosen ahead of Ian Bennett and Steve Simonsen.

Steve told the club’s official web-site: “Scott is a good age for a goalkeeper and he is fit enough to play a good few years yet.

“He played for Rotherham last season before a loss of form and an injury cost him his place. He had an operation on his elbow but he is clear of that now and has trained well.

"He is a proven goalkeeper at this level and he wants to be the number one here. That is what I wanted. I wanted someone to have that ambition and to really challenge Ben for that number one spot. I didn’t want someone to be content to sit on the bench.

“He will develop his coaching whilst he is with us and acquire his qualifications. I know he is looking forward to the next chapter of his career and he has settled in quickly. 

He added: “He ticked all the boxes. He has that ambition to carry on playing and work on the coaching side of things. He has great experience and will be an asset for us.”