In-form striker Alex Greive admits it’s been surreal to see New Zealanders snapping up St Mirren shirts emblazoned with his name.
The 22-year-old has enjoyed a frenetic start to his professional career, signing with the Buddies in January from Auckland side Birkenhead United before going on to make his debut for his country all in the same month.
His instant impact in the Scottish Premiership hasn’t gone unnoticed back home, with New Zealand sport radio station SENZ recently revealing football fans there have taken him and the Buddies to their hearts.
And Grieve is determined to continue his rich vein of form against Hearts tomorrow afternoon to ensure he keeps making a big noise in Scotland and back home.
Greive told Renfrewshire Live Sport: “There’s a little buzz in New Zealand with how I’ve been going at St Mirren.
“There’s definitely been a few of my mates buying the shirts as well, which is great.
“It’s all hopefully improving the profile of St Mirren worldwide.
“I made my New Zealand debut against Jordan and then unfortunately the next game got postponed due to covid.
“Hopefully I can get some more caps in before the end of the year.
“I knew coming over here would help me, but I never knew it would all happen this quickly.
“A week after I made my debut here I got my call up, so I was buzzing to be fair. It’s a dream come true to play for your country.”
Having scored two goals in his last three appearances in the black and white stripes, Greive is keen to hang on to his place in the starting XI under new boss Stephen Robinson.
The pacey forward believes the new gaffer’s arrival can help boost the Buddies despite Jim Goodwin’s departure for Aberdeen, with every player looking to impress the new man in charge.
He knows he’s got a battle on his hands though, with strikers Eamonn Brophy and Curtis Main both returning to full fitness.
Greive said: “It’s been a bit to take on, but the group is full of really good professionals so everyone’s just kept their head down and worked hard.
“The intensity in training has been top notch. The new gaffer has come in and he’s said he’s not going to change very much as we’re on a very good run.
“There’s a new buzz and everyone is obviously out to impress.
“I’ve managed to get a good run of games with Brophy and Main out injured. I’ve been loving playing every week.
“I’ve got a good taste for it now and I just want to keep it going.
“When you’re playing every week and you’re really part of the team, it really helps you settle. It’s helped me gel more with the group.
“Having competition for places is only good for the team. It raises your own performances because you want to perform better to stay in the team.
“We’ll be working together for sure and pushing each other on.”
While he’s enjoyed some instant success with St Mirren, Greive admits he’s still very much still learning his trade having only signed his first professional football contract last month.
He is trying to take in everything he can from his teammates, especially from his fellow strikers in training.
Greive added: “Coming from New Zealand, I’ve not played with players of this level too much before.
“I’m taking it all in, watching them all in training and learning from them.
“I’m watching how they finish in training and just trying to take as much of that as I can on board.
“My first impressions of Scottish football are that it’s very good and the intensity of the games is full on.
“You’ve got no time on the ball, it’s end-to-end and really entertaining.
“My first impressions of St Mirren are they have a great fanbase. Some really passionate and loyal supporters which is great.”
