Danny Elliott: I’ve got a job to do and that’s to help keep this side up

Latest attacking recruit Danny Elliott is hoping to add to his career goals tally while with the Iron, after arriving at the club from Boreham Wood.

The 27-year-old comes to the club off the back of a prolific loan spell at fellow National League side Gateshead, and is aiming to replicate that during his time at Glanford Park.

“I’m happy to be here. I’ve got a job to do and that’s to help keep this side up,” he told Iron Player.

“I’ve met with the manager and he seems really confident in me and has belief in me. I’ve met a few of the boys already and I know a couple already too. There have been quite a few changes, so hopefully we can get the job done.

“The gaffer has watched me for a while. I saw his success at Peterborough Sports and I think he’s got what it takes to turn it around. I’ve had a really good chat with him. I’m looking forward to working with him and getting started.

“It all happened very quickly - on Friday really - and it all moved quickly. When I spoke to the manager, it convinced me to come in and be a part of trying to help the club stay up.”

Elliott scored six goals in nine appearances in the aforementioned loan spell and is hoping to supplement the club’s existing attacking options to provide more in the forward-thinking department.

“Hopefully I can score goals,” he stated. 

“I’m lively and like to run in behind and create chances. I cause problems for defenders, and hopefully I can score a lot of goals for this football club.

“It was a really good club there (at Gateshead). I got an opportunity to show what I can do, so hopefully I can get the same opportunity to replicate that form and help the club go in the right direction. 

“I think that when I’ve been given the opportunity to lead the line and had a lot of confidence shown in me, I’ve done quite well. Hopefully, I get the same opportunity here to progress and show what I’m about.”

The last two home league encounters have seen increasing attendances at Glanford Park, with the latest match on Friday night seeing the crowd peak at over 5,000 spectators. It’s an atmosphere the former Nottingham Forest youth player is thriving to be involved with.

“I saw the fans on Friday, it was a great number. I’m hoping to score a lot of goals in front of them,” he continued.

“Having seen where the club has been before, there’s a big fan base. When I spoke to the manager, he said there are a lot of people that this club means everything to, and I’m looking forward to hopefully putting smiles on people’s faces.”

Knowing a couple of players coming into the building will aid Elliott to settle in among his new surroundings. He’s also looking forward to potentially striking a partnership with one of those, having first worked with Gerry McDonagh at Forest.

“The manager has a plan moving forward,” he stated.

“I know a couple of the players coming into the building as well, and I believe in their ability. Hopefully we can all come together and push the club in the right direction. 

“I played with Jake Leake at Boston and Gerry McDonagh at Nottingham Forest when I was a youth player.

“Gerry offers something a little bit different to myself. He’s a big, strong centre-forward - a target man. I like to run in behind a little bit more. Hopefully we can work well together, and it gives the manager different options as well.”

The Iron’s latest recruit is eager to commence the challenge ahead, but has drawn on the importance of the next two weeks without a fixture as cohesion begins to build amongst the current and arriving members of the squad.

“There are 16 massive games left, and I think it’s a very different Scunthorpe United side that I played against for Boreham Wood earlier in the season,” he added. 

“We’ve got a weekend without a game, which gives the manager a bit more time to work with the players. I’ve got an opportunity to get to know the other players and settle in a little bit before that game against Dagenham and Redbridge. 

“It was similar when I went to Gateshead - I had a bit of time before my first game. It always helps, rather than going straight into it. Hopefully the next couple of weeks are really positive and you’ll be able to see the fruits of that come a week on Saturday.”