Lamar Reynolds is looking forward to facing former Maidstone team-mate Liam Sole in Scotland next season.
FA Cup hero Reynolds, who scored a stunning opening goal in the Stones’ shock fourth-round at Ipswich from Sole’s pass, has joined Greenock Morton.
They finished fifth in the Championship this season, the same league Sole’s new club Livingston will be in following relegation from the Premiership.
Greenock is near Glasgow, about an hour away from Livingston.
“We won’t be too far from each other,” said Reynolds, 28.
“Hopefully we’re both in good hands.
“I did speak with him about the interest from Greenock and that potentially I might see him up there.
“I was joking about it and the joke turned into reality and we’re spending another season together, only against each other this time.
“He was responsible for the goal I scored at Ipswich and I’m sure people will make the connection.
“We’re good friends off the pitch, which makes things even more interesting, and we’re similar in how we play and our attitude towards winning.
“It’ll be a good game when we play each other.
“I’m sure we’ll be on the phone afterwards or maybe at each other’s house and we’ll have a laugh.”
Reynolds’ stock was high following his Ipswich exploits where he ran on to Sole’s pass and brilliantly chipped the keeper in front of a stunned Portman Road.
The exposure generated by that goal ensured he had plenty of options after Maidstone released him.
But it was Greenock, who play at the 11,500-capacity Cappielow Park, who really showed their hand.
Reynolds has lived in Wales during his days at Newport but Scotland will be a new experience.
“You never know what can come from it,” said the forward, who’s agreed a one-year deal.
“At the end of the day it’s something I’ve never done before.
“I’ve been in Wales but Scotland is a different league and a different atmosphere.
“It’s an exciting move for me and I can’t wait to get started.
“I think Greenock may have glimpsed the Ipswich game or the FA Cup run and they thought I stood out.
“I had some interest from them in the last couple of weeks of the season and one thing led to another.
“We agreed terms, it’ll be a good challenge and I’m glad it’s all done.
“To be fair, there was quite a lot of interest but they came in strong with their offers and were quite determined in saying it’s you we want.
“When you get something like that and the manager knows about you and the interest is that sharp, you’ve just got to take it.
“I did a lot of research on the club and I know a bit about the manager (Dougie Imrie) as well.
“I went on trial to Livingston a few years back and he was one of the coaches, so I remember him from there and understand what he’s about a little bit.
“It’s a big ground, it’s nice up there and hopefully we have a good season.
“I know the ambitions of the club and it would be nice if we can push into the play-off spot and see how far we can go.”
Reynolds leaves Maidstone with memories to last a lifetime.
The FA Cup run has seen to that, with his Ipswich strike voted the club’s goal of the season.
He also scored an eight-minute hat-trick in a 5-1 win at Eastbourne - his only other Stones goals.
He said: “On signing for Greenock I keep hearing about Ipswich, which shows the importance of that moment.
“It was the best moment of my career and I’ve got to cherish that.
“There was interest all over the place which you maybe wouldn’t imagine because I didn’t get many goals, but I was playing more of a defensive role than I’d have liked.
“For 80% of the games I played as a left-wing-back or a right-wing-back, which demands a lot defensively and I probably prioritised defending more than going forward.
“When I could, I took my chance and luckily it was in the FA Cup and that Ipswich game showed what I could do.
“Playing out of position and a bit more defensively has its limitations but I wouldn’t change anything.
“We got to the play-off semi-finals and it would have been the icing on the cake if we’d gone all the way.
“It wasn’t to be but I thoroughly enjoyed the season.”
