Andrew Moran has reflected on the early weeks of his time as a Preston North End player.

One of PNE’s recent signings has been impressed with what he has witnessed from his new team-mates - and believes the ‘togetherness’ they have shown can inspire a successful end to their bid to secure a Championship play-off place.

The Lilywhites hierarchy authorised three new additions to Paul Heckingbottom’s squad during the January transfer window as they secured a club record deal for Portsmouth winger Callum Lang and a loan move for Strasbourg forward Milos Lukovic. Jamal Lewis also saw his short-term contract extended to the end of the season and a fee of around £1m was agreed for Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Andrew Moran as the three-times capped Republic of Ireland international boosted Heckingbottom’s options in the middle of the park.

The 22-year-old had made several loan moves during his career after making temporary stints with the likes of Blackburn Rovers, Stoke City and MLS outfit LAFC - but his move to Deepdale represents his first permanent move since he joined Brighton’s academy setup from Irish club Bray Wanderers. Reflecting on his first weeks as a North End player, Moran has been impressed with the attitudes shown by his new team-mates and believes there is a balance between having a laugh and being ‘super serious’ when training and matchday rolls around.

He told the club website: “It’s been a really, really good first few weeks. The lads have been proper good; I feel like a proper part of the team. It was good to start with a win against Portsmouth as well. I can't really ask for much more. It always helps whenever you go somewhere, and you know a few of the lads. Everyone's been class, but when you have a few of your mates that you have played with before, it's just nicer, you can have a laugh with them, get yourself in with the group.

“It's a good environment to be around. You can tell it's a close dressing room and it's nice to walk into that. But when it's match day, it's super serious; when there are meetings, everyone's on it. It's a nice balance. I think the closer you are off the pitch, the more you're going to want to fight for each other and run for each other on the pitch. I think it's obviously a good thing. It just shows the togetherness that we have, and then obviously you build little connections as well with people, when you start to know where each other likes to be on the pitch and likes to play.”

Motivation

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Moran will hope to make his first start for the Lilywhites in Friday night’s visit to Lancashire rivals Blackburn Rovers as Heckingbottom’s side look to claim a win that would take them into the play-off places. The Irishman has urged his team-mates to stay true to one of football’s most well-versed mantras as they target a top six spot and keep alive their dreams of securing a first ever promotion into the Premier League.

“It’s definitely motivation,” explained Moran. “But the only way to get there is to keep performing week in, week out. As soon as you start looking too far ahead, you're putting yourself on the back foot. Literally just taking it game by game, that's all you can really focus on.”

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