Harry Lewis insists that while he won’t be munching on Scottish “delicacies” such as a deep-fried Mars Bar any time soon, he is relishing his taste of regular first-team football in this country with Dundee United.
The 19-year-old was snapped up on loan from Southampton by Tannadice boss Ray McKinnon last month.
Lewis is highly regarded at St Mary’s and signed a new three-year deal with the English Premier League club shortly before heading north.
His path to securing the No.1 jersey at United was eased considerably after the experienced Cammy Bell left for Kilmarnock.
However, Lewis has grasped his chance with both big mitts and he will not be happy until he has helped the club storm back to the Premiership.
Lewis, who should be between the sticks once more this afternoon against Brechin City at Tannadice, said: “I can’t explain to you just how different it is to be playing in games that mean something – I am loving it.
“I really want to win the league this year. People often say about loan players that they have half an eye on their parent clubs but this season for me, winning the league with United is the only aim I have.
“I would normally play Under-23s on the Monday night against the Liverpools or Manchester Uniteds of this world.
“I also played three games last season in the FA Cup. That was my professional debut and my first exposure to first-team football.
“But it doesn’t compare to league games, week in, week out.
“It is a totally, totally different environment.
“Even in training we will play mini-games and everyone wants to win. Every goal you concede hurts.
“In the league when we are up against it or a goal goes in, you can feel the fans are down and it just matters a lot more when there are three points and promotion at stake.
“It is nice being the No.1 goalie when you go out to Tesco and there are little kids asking for your autograph.
“It is my first experience of that and it is quite nice being known and recognised.
“It is great when kids come up and say you are their favourite player – it is nice to hear.”
Lewis added: “I have a little flat in City Quay. I live with Deniz Mehmet, Brett Long and Cammy Ballantyne who is out on loan at Montrose.
“There are four of us and we all help out with the cooking and stuff.
“I would have to say Cammy is the best cook but I haven’t had any haggis yet!
“Irn-Bru is also massive up here but I haven’t tasted it yet or a deep-fried Mars Bar!
“I won’t be going anywhere near that.”
It is still very early days in the league campaign but Lewis and his team-mates are delighted with the perfect start they have made.
United have taken maximum points from their first two games, including last week’s win over Queen of the South which was secured despite the fact the Tangerines played with just 10 men for nearly 60 minutes following Paul McMullan’s sending off.
Lewis, who has represented England at Under-18 level, said: “Personally, I have been pleased with how it has started.
“But overall it has been good to grind out the two wins and to come out of the two games with six points.
“I wasn’t too busy against Queen of the South and I think that is down to the quality that I have in front of me.
“The lads kept the ball away from me. They did their jobs really well and made sure I had a quiet afternoon.”
United will now look to extend their league winning streak to three with a victory over the part-timers from Angus.
However, Lewis is has been warned that Darren Dods’ side will be a tricky obstacle to overcome.
He added: “Speaking to the lads, they said they really shouldn’t be up there challenging for the title.
“So we fully expect them to stick 11 men behind the ball.
“It is up to us to break that down and not get complacent.
“We have to get the job done. It is another opportunity to get three points and that’s the target every Saturday.”
