RICHARD LAWSON today revealed how he once looked up to Kauko Nieminen as a young rider – and now he's ready to line up alongside him in Glasgow's bid for glory.

The Cumbrian had just made the switch from motocross to speedway when 'Nemo' was racking up big scores for his local team Workington.

Lawson looked on in admiration of the Finn, who has now joined the 29-year-old at the Peugeot Ashfield Stadium.

And the Tigers' No.5 believes that Nieminen's addition to an already-strong top end has boosted their chances of securing the silverware they crave.

The new man – who rode for Glasgow in 2006 – makes his return on Monday night against Plymouth, along with fellow-debutant Hynek Stichauer.

Lawson said: "I've not ridden with Kauko in a team, but I do know him quite well. I was doing second-halves when he was in the Workington side.

"He's obviously a good rider and I think he'll go down really well with the rest of the team.

"In 2008, that was probably his last year at Workington, and that was when I started going to speedway. I was watching him there when he was on top of his game. It's always good to ride with someone I was looking up to.

"It's going to be good. Hopefully Nick Morris will be back soon, just in time for the play-offs. I think it puts us in with a really, really good chance."

Plymouth have strengthened themselves with the signing of James Wright – and come equipped with 2014 Tigers captain Theo Pijper guesting at No.1, as well as former Edinburgh star Ryan Fisher and the exciting Australian Jack Holder.

The Tigers have drafted in Peterborough No.1 Ulrich Ostergaard to guest for Morris, who's out again with a recurrence of his elbow injury.

Lawson added: "I believe Kauko is going to have a practice on Monday, so hopefully he gets dialled in pretty quickly. Hopefully he'll settle in and have a good meeting, and we'll come away with the win."

Monday's meeting is at 7.30pm.