WIDE boy Keith Treacy is looking just forward to playing football after swapping Blackburn Rovers for Lancashire rivals Preston North End.

The 21-year-old Dubliner made the short journey from Rovers to Preston and signed in at Deepdale on a two-and-a-half year deal minutes before the transfer window slammed shut on Monday.

And he says he is champing at the bit to kick start his career after playing just 22 games in his four years at Ewood Park after making his Deepdale debut from the bench during Tuesday’s shock 4-1 hammering at the hands of Barnsley.

“I haven’t played for six weeks but I my aim is to do well for Preston North End for the next two years,” said Treacy.

“I was getting a bit nervous as Monday wore on. I was at North End all day but the deal wasn’t being done and I was starting to worry about whether it would go through in time.

“But it was all sorted about an hour before the deadline and I was happy about that.

“I am delighted to be at Preston. It is a big club with a great history in the game - and it’s really handy because it means that I don’t have to move house.

“And when you look around there are some good players and there is no reason why we can’t make the play offs.”

Despite that shock loss to the Yorkshiremen, Treacy is confident that North End manager Darren Ferguson will have a fine time and added: “The gaffer here is really ambitious.

“He wants to play football and with the team we have I really think we can make as push towards the play-offs.”

The move also means a reunion with fellow former Rover Eddie Nolan, who is battling to establish himself at Deepdale.

“Yeah, it’s good to meet up with Eddie again and I also know Ross Wallace quite well. Eddie has done really well here and I want to follow in his footsteps.

“I am probably going to be fighting Ross for a regular starting spot on the left - but bring that on. I am looking forward to that battle.”