No one is happier than Paul Gallagher at the thought of him returning to Deepdale and pulling on the Lilywhite once again.
That was the sentiments of the forward following his emergency loan move to Preston North End.
In an exclusive interview with PNE.Com, Gallagher was delighted to return to the Club that he last played for during the 2007/08 season.
And he admits that it feels like he has never been away.
“I am delighted to be back,” stated the new PNE No.12.
“Ever since I knew the interest was there, this is the one and only place I wanted to come really.
“Walking back through that door is like I have never been away.
“I am happy to be back, the time has gone past pretty quick because, as I said, when I came back through the door it was just like the same again.
“I spoke to the manager in the summer and he said that if it was something he could do, he would be interested, so it was about being patient and waiting for the right time and obviously the right time has come along and he has stuck by his work and brought me in and I am happy to be here.”
League One is a place that Gallagher is familiar with, having spent a short time on loan at Sheffield United last season and despite having a ton of memories from his first stint at Deepdale, he is eager to create some new ones now that he has returned as a better player in his own eyes.
He continued: “I went to Sheffield United last year and had six games for them and I enjoyed it.
“It is a tough league, people think the lower you go the easier it gets, but it is not like that, I think it is the opposite.
“It is all about working hard and we have got the quality in the squad and if we do the hard work the quality will come through, so if you look through the squad you will see how much quality there is.
“When I came the first time, it was interesting, the manager went out, a new manager came in, we were playing good football, but we just weren’t getting the results.
“The Burnley game away, that changed everything, we played really well and won.
“We had some really good times and I wanted to come back and for some reason it didn’t happen, but I am happy to be back now and I feel like I owe something because I left.
“I want to come in and do well, the team is doing well and I want to try and get in the team and help the lads stay where they are or even go higher.
“I feel like I have come back as a better player, more experienced, a lot older!
“I have played quite a few games and I have done quite well with goals and assists, so if I can bring that to the Club with hard work, we have got a good squad as it is, so I have got to work hard in training to get in the team first and foremost, but I am looking forward to the challenge.”
With Leicester being the home of many a former North End player, Gallagher’s return sees him link up with a few familiar faces of his own from his time at Ewood Park, faces that remind him of his youth and his current age in equal measures.
Gallagher added: “I came through the Blackburn ranks with Joe Garner and Joel Byrom,
“They are a little bit younger than me, but we came through the same Academy and seen each other around the training ground and when I came into the Blackburn first team, Alan Kelly was the reserve goalkeeper.
“I’m showing my age now saying that!
“I know a few people in that changing room, so it is going to make it easier coming back.”