IT WAS not the scrap of paper thrust in front of the Barnsley head coach at a wedding this summer, but David McGoldrick is delighted he eventually signed a contract to play under Conor Hourihane this year.

The 37-year-old striker joined the Reds on a one-year deal after talking to close friend Hourihane all summer, starting with a catch-up at one of their former Derby County team-mates’ weddings.

McGoldrick told the Chronicle: “I had had a few wines. I put a piece of paper with a five-year contract on it in front of him and told him to sign it. He didn’t sign it but we talked.

“There were others things in the pipeline for me. I didn’t know what I was doing but eventually I made the decision to come here.”

McGoldrick and Hourihane played together at two clubs but first met representing the Republic Of Ireland.

“I think we both got called up around the same time under Martin O’Neill and never played that much at the start. Mick McCarthy played us a lot, and Stephen Kelly. I had probably seven or eight years in the Ireland set-up with Conor then a year at Sheffield United and Derby for a year. We were friends throughout that.

“I have known Keesy (assistant coach Richard Keogh) with Ireland for years.

“Every dugout at the minute that I am playing against, there is someone I played with or against. I am that age now that people I know are getting their first coaching roles.

“I played against Plymouth’s manager Tom Cleverley and he’s younger than me.”

McGoldrick has been brought in for his goals record but also his experience, and he will form part a leadership group with fellow veteran Marc Roberts, and Josh Earl, to support young captain Luca Connell.

“Robbo’s experience speaks for itself, we have Josh Earl and Luca the captain who is always speaking in his Scouse accent. He was in the Ireland squad with me when he was like a little boy but he’s a man now with a kid and he’s captain. Everyone is on the same page, no one wants to cut corners.”

McGoldrick seems to have developed a good partnership on the pitch in pre-season with fellow forward Davis Keillor-Dunn, but believes other attackers will also thrive.

“We have signed a few young players.

“It’s going to be exciting.

“But it’s a long season and you can’t just rely on two. We will have rotation, and cup games.

“I can’t play every minute, it’s impossible.

“We need everyone to come to the party.”

Asked if he was as hungry as ever as he enters his 23rd season as a professional footballer, McGoldrick said: “Probably more hungry.

“You are probably counting down the years now.

“I don’t think it will make it to 30 seasons. There is always talk about my age and if my legs will go.

“But I want to play as many minutes as possible and be the best player in every game.”

He added: “I am impressed with the way the boys work day to day. Conor and Richard and the staff set standards – there is no slacking.

“Everyone has bought into the manager and the way he wants to play. It’s been tough but there are no moaners. We have good young players, good senior players.

“I think we can have a good season.”