Gassing With Gaz

The Argyle left-back, who faces former club Bristol Rovers in a Sky Bet League 2 Westcountry derby at Home Park this weekend, felt both emboldened and justified by the win over a top-three side that knocked the Pilgrims out of the 2014-15 play-offs. 

“It’s definitely one that we can build on and just shows we can mix it with the [team]s that you think are going to be at the top of this division,” said Gary, who was raised in Bideford as an Argyle supporter.

“On paper, we knew that would be a really tough game – they will turn over a lot of people at their place – but for the boys that were here last year and a lot of my friends and family, that was a nice win because of what happened last season.”

Gary, 30, is in his second spell at Home Park, having played more than 100 games for the Pilgrims – following a career-starting loan at then non-league Exeter City – between 2006-10. His return has seen him link up again with former team-mate and close friend Luke McCormick, who is the rock on which Argyle’s five-win start to the season has been founded.

“You know, with Luke, when he is called upon, he will do the business,” said Gary. “There isn’t a better ’keeper in this division, so we have got a lot of confidence with him behind us. We’re at the right end of the table, where we want to be, and I think there is a lot more to come from this group of players.”

Gary spent two seasons at the Memorial Ground after leaving Argyle and was happy to see his former side regain their Football League status last season after a campaign in the Conference following relegation in 2013-14.

“I enjoyed my time there,” he said. “The people are great, behind the scenes as well. It will be a good game.  Obviously I want us to win, but I do want them to do well.

“They have had a bit of a tough period. In this era of football, it seems to happen to a lot of clubs who you think shouldn’t have problems. Hopefully they are out of that now.

“They have done unbelievably to get straight back out because I know it’s not a not an easy league to get out of, having played two years there myself.”