Exclusive: JJ McKiernan loving life at Lincoln

Capped at U21 level for Northern Ireland McKiernan, who came through the ranks at Watford, has been tipped for a big future in the game.

He made history as the first ever Shrimps’ player to score an away hat-trick

But McKiernan, who penned a four-year deal at Sincil Bank, stressed there is no added pressure on his shoulders as he finds his feet in the centre of the Imps’ midfield.

He told SportsBoom.com: “I don’t feel any pressure. I just want to play my football.

“I was really excited by the project here at Lincoln. It just looks like a club that’s on the up.

“I really like how involved the gaffer is and how he likes his team to play and that’s the reason I wanted to join.

“It’s a great club and it’s been really easy to settle in. The lads are great and I’m really looking forward to my time here.

“The gaffer’s messaging has been clear. He wants us to be aggressive, with our full force, and really get at teams.

“He doesn’t want us to sit back and that’s something I really like because I like to get on the ball and play and that’s what we try to do.

“We want to try and play our football and that style of play really suits me as a player.

“I play football with a smile on my face, I have done since I was a kid and hopefully that never leaves me. Ultimately, I want to score goals and create.”

The Imps have not played second-tier football in over 60 years.

And Michael Skubala’s side came agonisingly close to giving themselves a shot at the Championship via the play-offs last term.

A stunning 16-game unbeaten run saw them surge towards the top six, only to excruciatingly miss out by just two points on the final day of the season.

“Motivation is really high among the squad to get promoted this season,” added the talented youngster.

“The run the club went on at the backend of last season was nothing short of incredible.

“The aim is to try and repeat that form and to be around the play-offs or get promoted. That’s the ideal situation we’re aiming for this season.”

McKiernan was one of ten arrivals during a transformative summer at Sincil Bank which saw number one Lukas Jensen join Championship Millwall, whilst Lasse Sorensen moved to Huddersfield Town.

Lincoln turned over Burton in a five-goal thriller on their own patch on the opening day, but slipped to back-to-back home defeats to Harrogate — in the first round of the Carabao Cup — and Barnsley.

Skubala’s side host newly-promoted Mansfield on Saturday desperate to get on the board in front of their faithful fans.

McKiernan said: “We need to get up and running at home as soon as possible, absolutely.

“We want to make our home ground a fortress and a place where teams don’t want to come.

“I don’t think we’re far away from seeing the finished product amongst the squad.