Goalkeeper Thorsten Stuckmann hasn’t come to Scotland to warm the Partick Thistle bench, setting his sights on becoming Alan Archibald’s number one choice at Firhill.

The giant German joined the club last week with regular first-choice keeper Tomas Cerny continuing to struggle with a foot injury.

Ryan Scully performed well between the sticks for the Jags in Saturday’s draw at Kilmarnock, but Stuckmann hopes he can impress enough in training to be handed the gloves for this weekend’s match against Motherwell.

“I’m here to help the team and play as much football as I can,” said Stuckmann, who was a regular for Doncaster Rovers last season.

“It’s down to me to work hard in training and then take my chance when it comes. I played 43 games last season.

“I had a few options in England and in Germany but you have to weigh up what’s best for the family. And the chance to play top flight football in Scotland is a no-brainer even if I have to leave my family in Doncaster at the moment.

“I completely understand why the manager has played Ryan Scully at the weekend. I have only known the team for two days and only trained with them twice.

“The players won’t know much about me and don’t really know what I’m like at training or what kind of player I am.

“I need to learn the names of the players as well so I probably would have struggled at the weekend if I’m being honest. It’s getting easier now after a few training sessions but it’s fairer that Scully played.

“I’m here to make the competition as hard as possible and I want to get into the net as soon as possible as that’s what I’m here for.

“It’s a competition, Scully has to perform and I have to perform and when Tomas comes back he has to perform. We need to make the manager’s life as hard as possible.”

Stuckmann hopes he can show enough during his short-term deal, which runs until January, in order to win an extended stay in Maryhill.

At 35, he believes his wealth of experience can be a real benefit to the Thistle defence.

“I’ve played in the second Bundesliga for six years and I played for Preston and Doncaster in League One. I got promoted with Preston and I also got promoted in Germany.

“I’ve a lot of experience that I can bring to the party. I want to help the young players and I’m very vocal with the back four.

“I’ve played against Manchester United with Wayne Rooney and Angel di Maria. I’ve played alongside the Slovakian international Szilard Nemeth, who was at Middlesbrough.

“I’ve played alongside Lewis Holtby, who went on to play for Spurs.

“I’ve played against Dortmund but I was injured when we played Bayern. But I’ve played against all the other big teams in Germany so I have a lot of experience.”

Stuckmann’s arrival adds to something of a Preston North End old boys’ club that is congregating in the Firhill dressing room.

No fewer than three of his new team-mates also played with him at Deepdale, and it has meant a seamless transition to life north of the border for the gentle giant.

“The lads have made it really easy for me to settle,” he said.

“I know David Amoo, Adam Barton and Danny Devine from my time at Preston. That helps when you first walk into the dressing room. There’s a few familiar faces.

“My agent told me that the players were here and when I found out what familiar faces I was happy. I think they were happy to see me too!”

*Thorsten Stuckmann was speaking at the launch of Beatson Cancer Charity as Partick Thistle’s charity of the year.