WINGER Aidan Connolly is targeting double figures in front of goal during his first season at York City.

The 20-year-old attacker only netted twice in 35 games at Dundee United, but managed six in 24 outings for first club Queen’s Park and also hit the target five times in 17 appearances as he ended last term with Scottish Championship side Raith Rovers.

It is a strike rate he feels he can now replicate with the Minstermen in the National League.

“From my position, I want to get beyond the ten-goal mark and then score as many more as I can,” Connolly declared. “I started scoring more goals for Raith, than I did at Dundee United and feel I’ve added that to my game.

“I’ve been getting most of my goals by getting in the box more and have learnt, by doing that, I will get on the scoresheet.”

Despite his slight 5ft 5in frame, Connolly has also promised to punch above his weight and meet the physical demands of fifth-tier football in this country.

McNamara released pint-sized, flank raider Kenny McEvoy at the end of last term due to reservations about his battling qualities, but Connolly said: “I’m not really sure about the difference between the standards in Scotland and England, but I’ve spoken to a few of the boys and they have said there will be games where we will need to fight it out and I’ve got that in me, even though I’m small.

“I can be dogged away from home if necessary and I will fight for everything because that’s what the gaffer wants. Playing physical teams usually means they turn a lot slower so, hopefully, that will also benefit me.”

Despite being a natural left footer, Connolly added that he is willing to operate on either wing, as well as more centrally.

Nor is he fazed by the multitude of systems modern-era wingers must be comfortable with, including 4-4-2, 3-5-2, 4-2-3-1 and 4-3-3.

“Every manager plays differently and, as long as I’m in the team, it doesn’t matter to me what the formation is, or if I’m playing on the left, right or in behind the striker,” he reasoned.

The ex-Scotland under-19 international went on to confess that teaming up with his old Tannadice boss McNamara proved a big draw as he pondered a switch to North Yorkshire.

“I know the gaffer really well and know he likes to play football, which will be good for me and the other young lads in the squad,” he ventured. “I had a few options, but this is the right place for me.

“It’s something different and a new adventure, even though I’m still only 20.”

McNamara took Connolly and then Queen’s Park team-mate Andrew Roberston to Dundee United in 2013.

Defender Robertson, who is 17 months older than Connolly, has gone on to win promotion to the Premier League with Hull City and his old pal is putting no ceiling on his own ambitions, saying: “I watch the Premier League and my old team-mate Andrew Robertson will be playing in it next season, so boys like him show that you might be able to get to that level. Hopefully, this could be the start of things for me.”

Connolly’s fellow new arrival Charlie Wardle, meanwhile, has joined the club from Northwich Victoria and not Nantwich, as previously reported.