York City's new goal getter Alex Mathie today vowed 'normal service will be resumed'.

The former Celtic, Newcastle United and Ipswich Town goal-getter finally ended manager Terry Dolan's search for a new marksman by agreeing to join the Minstermen on a free.

The return to English football also ends two years of frustration for Mathie, who was released from his contract with Scottish Premier League outfit Dundee United on Monday.

Speaking to the Evening Press, the 31-year-old, who played under England manager Kevin Keegan at Newcastle, said he was delighted to have put pen to paper and was eager to get back among the goals.

"It is a big stage of my career, a chance to kick-start my career again and I am looking forward to it," claimed Mathie, who scored 47 goals in little over 100 games for Ipswich.

"I don't know a lot about the Third Division because I have played most of my football at a higher level but I am sure I won't be long in getting into the swing of things.

"You have got to have confidence in your own ability and that is something I have always had if I am getting the right service.

"I have not been playing regularly for two years at United and my record is not very good for them but everywhere else I have done the business and I am confident I can still do that."

Mathie, frustrated by not being able to claim a regular place in the Terrors starting line-up and often being forced to play out of position, admitted he had received other offers before York made their move.

But having spoken to both Dolan and chairman Douglas Craig and having seen the Bootham Crescent set-up, including City's impressive training complex at Wigginton road, Mathie's mind was made.

"The manager, the coaching staff and the chairman impressed me. They helped sell the club to me and their ambitions for York," he said

"That means a lot to me, and I will be back playing in my natural position through the middle which I have enjoyed throughout the years."

And Mathie, who trained with the rest of the City squad for the first time on Tuesday, said he had already received a warm welcome from his new team mates.

"The players welcomed me very well, I wasn't a stranger in the dressing room and that was nice so, hopefully, we can go on and get York City up the League where they should be.

"They are in a false position and when I saw the lads in training I was able to see for myself they are in a false position

"A wee bit of luck in front of goal and we will be up there where we probably should be. It is early days yet but a couple of wins and you are right back up the table again."

Despite moving from the Scottish Premier League to Division Three in the space of just a few hours, Mathie insisted it was no fall from grace.

"It has probably raised a few eyebrows up in Scotland but there is no need because some of the clubs in this division have better facilities than those in the Premier League in Scotland.

"York City is one of them."