WAYNE’S WORLD

The keeper, who put pen to paper on a two year deal with the Bannsiders last week, feels he has a point to prove, particularly to himself, as he bids to finally kick start his career since returning home.

The former Rangers and Millwall keeper made the move back to the province in 2011 when he joined up with Ballymena United. His time at Warden Street was stop/start though and he ended up moving on to Crusaders at the start of last season.

In January this year it looked as though the 21-year-old would finally be given his chance at Seaview after Sean O’Neill picked up a shoulder injury. But remarkably it signalled the end of Drummond’s Crues’ career as Stephen Baxter went out and recruited two new keepers.

But ultimately it provided Drummond with the shot in the arm he needed. He moved to Harland & Wolff Welders where he could relax and start to produce the form he always knew he was capable of.

“When you are playing for a manager who has confidence in you it does rub off on you and that’s what happened at the Welders,” Drummond told Times Sport.

“It was a difficult time for me. I was embarassed when I didn’t get the opportunity at Crusaders. I was told I was going to get my chance. I had worked hard all season and bided my time waiting for my opportunity, then the manager goes and signs two keepers.

“It was very hard to take. I felt I had wasted my time and the club’s time. But in the end the move to the Welders benefitted me. I loved it there and it helped me focus and push on again.

“I feel now is the time though to move up again and prove a point as much to myself as anything.

“Since I came back home I haven’t done enough for myself. I made a couple of mistakes and people have sort of written me off, but I know what I am capable of.

“Some might say this is my last chance, but I’m only 21, I have a lot of football ahead of me. People will always have their opinion and I might never change them, but as long as I show what I’m capable of and work hard that’s what is important.”

Drummond, who has been capped by his country at every level bar senior, feels that he can flourish at The Showgrounds under the guidance of Oran Kearney.

“You only have to speak to Oran for a few minutes to understand what he is all about,” said Wayne.

“He is a born winner who only wants the best for Coleraine. He sold the club to me straight away. He has such high standards and quite rightly he sets high goals for his players to strive towards.

“But it’s easy to take advice off someone who has won it all...he knows what he is talking about.”

Drummond will be keeping his eye out for one game in particular next season, the derby encounter with former club Ballymena. The stopper came in for a bit of ribbing after one Boxing Day clash at The Showgrounds, but now he at the Bannsiders he is hoping to taste a derby win for the first time.

“I took a bit of stick after that game, the funny thing is I thought I had played pretty well up until that point, but that’s the joys of being a keeper,” said Drummond, who will wear number 43 at The Showgrounds, the same number he wore during his time at Ibrox.

“Hopefully now I’ll get to experience a derby win now I’m at Coleraine. To be honest before I came to Ballymena I didn’t realise how big a game it is.

“There is some atmosphere especially the Boxing Day game. The fans love to have the bragging rights.”

Since announcing his move Drummond has been inundated by well wishers on Twitter.

“It’s really nice. The fans have been so welcoming to me, I just can’t wait to get started now.”

His good friend Niall McGinn tweeted him saying: “Delighted for you mate great news.”