Fran Franczak: Doing my best to help the team

Youth academy graduate Fran Franczak made his first start of the William Hill Premiership season in our fixture against Celtic on Sunday.

Despite the end scoreline at Celtic Park, the 17-year-old produced a determined performance at right wing-back across the 90 minutes.

The Poland under-18 international said: “It is always exciting [to be involved] and especially coming to places like Celtic Park. We knew it would be a tough challenge but, like every game, you need to try and play your best.

“Two days before the game the manager told me he was thinking of starting me and I got really excited. Then, when we did shape on Saturday, I was in the team.

“I wanted to do my best and help the team as much as possible. Every game is worth three points and you always try to win.

“Hopefully I have taken my chance and I can be involved in the squad more and more going into the new year.”

On the support from the fans, Fran added: “It means so much to me. It gives me confidence to play better and to improve.

“The next game is now the most important one. You need to fight for the three points every week.”

Head coach Simo Valakari said of Fran: “I was so happy with how he performed at a difficult place and against the best wingers in the league.

“And how our fans acknowledged him at the end of the game. He put everything in and that is what we need.”

You can watch the interviews with Fran Franczak and Simo Valakari on Saints TV HERE.