Derry City's Norwegian striker Tim Nilsen thriving on pressure to deliver goals

In fact, the ice-cool Norwegian striker insists he will thrive on the expectations as he looks to build on his impressive goalscoring record.

Playing in the Norwegian third tier last year with Fredrikstad, Nilsen netted 28 goals in 49 matches and the 27 year-old is currently 16/1 with some bookmakers to finish top goalscorer in the League of Ireland this year before a ball has been kicked.

He looks well worth a punt too given his two goal salvo against Finn Harps at Brandywell during pre-season and after a quick glance at his YouTube highlights.

Declan Devine has been impressed by his composure in front of goal and his willingness to get in behind the defence during pre-season training matches.

And the City boss will be hoping the striker can replicate the goalscoring feats of David Parkhouse or Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe who lit up the Brandywell last year.

”I like pressure,” smiled Nilsen.

“The pressure will make me a better football player. Of course the Finn Harps game was my first game in almost four months so hopefully I would expect a little bit more from myself.

“But I think I’ve settled in perfectly now. I’ve got to know the players very well. We had that trip to Dublin and now I know the players outside of the pitch a little bit better too.

“We were around each other 24/7 and I think that’s very important in pre-season especially when you have new players.”

While Reading striker, Adam Riddle and Walter Figueira will provide competition for the No. 9 role, Nilsen is confident his teammates can provide plenty of chances for whomever leads the line.

“They are top players, really good players, and for me as a box player I think I will get the ball inside the box a lot. So I think this will be a great chance for me here as well.

“I’m really a number nine. I like to get in the back spaces all the time. I feel my strengths are my power and speed.

“So hopefully when we get to know each other better I will be able to use those strengths even more.

“For me it’s important to have a good relationship with everyone. If you are an a**hole of course no one will want you to score or pass you the ball,” he laughed.

Despite his English being impeccable, he admits he’s struggled at times with ‘Derry English’.

“Normal English is very easy for me to understand but ‘Derry English’ is a little harder,” he laughed.

“We studied English in school from when we are very young and so using English for us comes naturally.”

Nilsen, like many others, is hoping to catch the eye of potential suitors in the English or Scottish games this season and knows playing in the Europa League will help on that front.

For now, however, his mission is to help take Derry City back to the top of Irish football.

“I haven’t set any ambitions yet because I don’t know the league very well. For me I want to hopefully score in every game but I will just score goals to help the team get as high as possible in the league and play a few rounds in Europe or maybe win a cup.

“You always want to play as high as possible. Right now I want to make Derry one of the top teams in Ireland.”