Everton manager Roberto Martinez may have been interested in Aiden McGeady for over a year but the Republic of Ireland international knows he will not receive an easy passage into the side.
The 27-year-old was close to joining the Spaniard at Wigan last season only for the move to falter but a year on Martinez has finally got his man - albeit for the Toffees.
He spent the week at the club's camp in Tenerife having completed his transfer from Spartak Moscow but having not trained since November, the former Celtic winger knows he has a lot of catching up to do to before he can reward the manager's faith.
"He (Martinez) has been quite vocal in that he has been after me for while when he was manager at Wigan and it is good to know a manager likes you so much and that was a big pro for me," he said.
"Also the way he sets his team up and the way it plays can hopefully get the best out of me so I'm looking forward to getting started.
"It is a big compliment the fact he has been after me for a while but the hard work starts for me now as I have to try to get myself fit and in the team.
"I have only trained for three or four days and I've been off since the start of November.
"I am probably not ready to be involved in a game but if the manager feels that I will try my best and try to do what I can.
"There is big competition for places here so we will see what happens."
McGeady will be in the squad for Monday's trip to West Brom but will have to settle for a place on the bench at best.
He believes he has joined a team capable of securing Champions League football and victory at The Hawthorns would help keep their bid on track.
"I think this season already the team has shown they can challenge the top teams and shoot for a top-four place but obviously that is easier said than done," he added.
"The way the manager plays, the style he plays and the mentality he has brought to the team - attacking football - is probably a big change from the season before.
"But there are a lot of talented players here and the sky is the limit."
Having spent several years in the Russian wilderness, McGeady is looking forward to being involved in a more high-profile competition.
"It is a step up, it is one of the top leagues in the world and everyone wants to play here," he said.
"I can see the standard from watching on the TV but I won't know until I am involved in it. I just want to be playing and be in that spotlight, in that big league.
"Of course it is another challenge for me. The hard work for me has to start now.
"It is January and there are only four or five months of the season left but it is a big four or five months for myself."
Source: PA
