Ex-Scottish Premier League player Emmanuel Panther has taken his first steps on the York City Conference trail as he prowls around for English football glory.

The 21-year-old Scotsman made his debut for St Johnstone aged 17, just 12 months after joining the youth squad having represented his country at junior level.

After that he moved to Partick Thistle, the home ground on the doorstep of his Maryhill birthplace. But he struggled to break free of the under-21s and they released him in the summer following a spell at Brechin City.

Now he has come south of the border - and ran out in York colours in the first league game of the season in a solid if not spectacular 0-0 draw with Crawley.

"I'm delighted to be here," he said. "It was always my intention to play in England and I heard about what Billy McEwan was doing here and came for a trial.

"It's good working with Billy and not just because I can understand what he's saying and he can understand me. I interpret for the boys in training and I think that's why they signed me."

Panther showed flashes of his potential against Crawley as a man with an eye for distribution.

"I'm quite physical and I like to pass it around. The passing in particular is a big part of my game.

"Last season I played a bit further forward and I think I got about seven goals from midfield.

"But I'm usually the one doing the dirty work in the middle of the park for everyone else."

Like so many of the new crop, Panther's looking to learn from his time at KitKat Crescent, but he will also have an invaluable grain of League football to help bring on his new team-mates.

He said: "We've got a young squad - I think the oldest player is 26 - but within that is a good mixture of experience from League and the Conference.

"We have got players who want to develop under the manager and we know his reputation at Derby.

"I'll be looking to play regularly for a start and getting the team as high up the league as possible.

"I can play anywhere in midfield - in the holding role or further forward or wherever.

"There's competition everywhere - there's nobody who can sit back and say their place is safe. And I am sure that will push everyone on to do better."

Updated: 11:05 Tuesday, August 16, 2005