GARY RUSSELL may be thousands of miles away from his old glove partner but it hasn’t broken the bond between the two shotstoppers.

During a memorable year together in the purple of Braehead Clan, Russell and former New York Rangers goalie Chris Holt became firm friends as they jostled with each other to be the man between the pipes.

Ex-NHL star Holt called time on his playing career at the end of the last campaign to set up a life away from the ice back in North America.

However, the pair have remained in touch for Holt to see his old understudy emerge from the Braehead Arena shadows and already rack up nine appearances for Ryan Finnerty’s team.

“Chris and I message back and forward,” Russell told SportTimes.

“He’s quite happy, he’s seen me progress and he says I’m putting up good stats. It’s great that he sees that I’m progressing because it’s something that he wanted me to do for myself.

“He thought I was good enough to do it so I’m pleased for him to see it.”

Russell has benefited from circumstances outwith his control this season.

Injury to first choice Michal Zajkowski last month opened a window of an opportunity for the man who away from the rink is employed as a police officer.

It is a moment the man from Glasgow is reluctantly happy to embrace.

“Going into the season I thought I was going to get more game time than the last. I thought there would be progression,” said Russell, who has already played one more game in the opening stages of this term compared to the whole of last season.

“But due to circumstances and the way Zee got his injury it has all come much sooner. For me, it’s bad that you’re hoping for an injury to get the chance to go on and impress.

“For my own development it’s about getting my game sharpness.

“I feel like I’m progressing. It’s hard to go in one game a month and have your speed and focus all there.

“It takes one or two games to narrow it down and to have your concentration constantly going to get that sharpness. When you have it the confidence naturally comes.

“It’s been good for me to get on, get rid of any jitters. I’ve been playing and having fun.

“The team in front of me has been tremendous as well. They leave everything out there, so I feel like I’m doing my job. They are helping me to do that, and it’s good they have confidence in me.

Russell has adapted well to the level of expectation now placed upon him. Coach Finnerty has been full of praise for the 26-year-old in recent weeks and he will face a dilemma when Zajkowski returns to full fitness.

It is a decision Russell is content not to consider, instead, choosing to focus on only matters he can control.

“That’s Finner’s choice, it’s not up to me. I can just try my hardest,” he said.

“I want a starting role. I’ve not hidden that fact. The main thing is right now we start getting wins on the board and start to climb that league table.”