Move to Argyle has been perfect for Hazard

KEEPER HAS 'LOVED EVERY MINUTE' SINCE JOINING CLUB FROM CELTIC

- CHRIS ERRINGTON

CONOR Hazard has 'loved every minute' of his first season at Plymouth Argyle and the challenge of playing in such a strong league as the Championship.

The Northern Ireland international joined the Pilgrims from Scottish champions Celtic for a reported £150,000 transfer fee last summer and has gone on to start 19 of their 28 league games, plus both of their FA Cup ties to date. That has proven to be money well spent, especially given the injury issues that the highly-rated Mike Cooper has had to deal with.

Hazard produced arguably his best Argyle performance in the 1-1 FA Cup fourth-round draw away to Leeds United Saturday, on when he made a series of fine saves.

Life at Home Park, and in Plymouth as a whole, has been an experience which has reminded the 25-year-old of being home in County Down.

Hazard said: "It has been brilliant.I have loved every minute of it here.  Plymouth is great place to live and the people around here are so nice. It kind of reminds me of back home, especially the people involved in the club, they have helped me settle in so well. I have to say it's all complimentary."

He has also enjoyed the competitiveness and high level of playing in the Championship. "Every game you are learning something new, said Hazard. "I think this league is a brilliant standard.

"Stats don't lie, we are eight points off relegation and 10 points from a play-off place. It's a very tight league all over and it's something I'm grateful to be involved in. Hopefully there is many more games to come!"