Holloway key to Cathcart's Seasiders switch

12 August 2010 08:30
Craig Cathcart admits Ian Holloway's infectious personality played a major role in his decision to join Blackpool. Cathcart, 21, was officially unveiled at Bloomfield Road on Wednesday after arriving from Manchester United for an undisclosed fee. The defender signed a three-year deal with the option for a further year having been impressed by Holloway, Blackpool's colourful manager, who has scotched rumours he was about to resign by committing his future to the club. "I'm sure all of the players love him because I've only known him a few days and he is growing on me a lot," Cathcart said. "He is one of the main reasons I have come here. He wanted me to come and he is passionate about what he wants to do here." Despite rising through the ranks at Old Trafford after joining as a trainee, Cathcart never made a senior appearance for United and is now hoping for a run in Blackpool's starting XI that will also boost his chances of winning a first cap for Northern Ireland. "At this stage of my career I need to be playing football matches, so hopefully coming here will give me the opportunity to play a lot of first-team games," he said. "I haven't had a cap so far at full international level, so if I'm in the team every week in the Premier League then it is going to be hard for the manager not to look at me and hopefully he will put me in the squad."

Source: PA