NEW Swindon Wildcats netminder Renny Marr is not daunted by filling legendary keeper Stevie Lyle’s boots as he gets set to make his competitive bow for the club this weekend.

Former Great Britain stopper Lyle was the Cats’ undisputed number one over the past four seasons but the 37-year-old has not returned to the Link Centre for the new campaign.

Instead, Swindon will have two young keepers vying for a place between the pipes, with 19-year-old Marr joined on the roster by fellow new arrival Matt Smital, who is one year his junior.

Cats coach Aaron Nell hinted at the start of pre-season that Marr will begin the new NIHL South campaign – which gets under way when they host Milton Keynes Thunder on Saturday – as the team’s first-choice keeper.

However, the GB U20s man expects to be pushed all the way by Smital as the pair look to forge their own paths for the Cats.

“I am not here to replace anyone or be who they were, I am just here to be me and play my own type of game. I am just here to show what I can do,” said Marr.

“There are two new netminders here this year and if we are both playing well, we will get our chances. For both me and Matt, I think that’s the best thing, to have competition and to push each other throughout the season.

“I wouldn’t say I have any great expectations, it’s just to get better every game and be the best I can be and try to help the team win every week.

“In terms of the team, it’s going to take a while to figure out our expectations but once we have played all the other teams once or twice then you can start to get a feel of where you might be in the league.”

Marr signed for the Cats on a two-contract with Elite League side Coventry Blaze but after playing just 11 times for the top-flight club over the past two seasons, the Scotsman arrives at the Link Centre hungry to get as many minutes under his belt as possible.

“The last couple of years I haven’t played a whole lot so coming to Swindon was definitely a good choice,” said Marr, who turns 20 just a month into the new campaign.

“The club is really professional, they have a good team and I know Aaron is looking to win some silverware this season. Being part of that and getting a consistent run of games is really exciting and I am looking forward to it.

“I haven’t played with everyone here but I know a couple of guys. There are some solid players and we have a great mix of experience and youth so that can only mean good things.”