Alan Julian faces a battle on two fronts next season as he chases domestic and international recognition.

Gillingham’s new goalkeeper will compete against the club’s player of the year Simon Royce for the number one shirt while also seeking his first senior Northern Ireland cap.

Julian, 25, arrived from Stevenage in the summer after three and a half years with the Blue Square Premier side and he’s relishing the challenges ahead.

“I like my challenges and I’ve got a few to overcome this season but I’m ready and looking forward to them,” he said.

“It’s nice to have a challenge. I came to a stage in my career where I felt I needed a new one and to come here and face someone like Simon Royce is a challenge. It’s something I’m really looking forward to.

“I met Roycey the other day and saw him in training and he has a good reputation in the game.

“After seeing him for a few days you can see why and I’ve got a bit of a battle, but it’s one I’m looking forward to and I’m also hoping to learn a lot from him as well.

“He’s been in the game a long while and if I can pick up bits and pieces from him then that can only help my game. It’s a good challenge for me.”

Despite being born in Ashford, Middlesex, Julian has a handful of caps at under-21 level for Northern Ireland and hopes a move back into league football will give him hope of a step up.

“You can tell by my accent I’m northern Irish,” he joked. “My grandad is from Belfast. I don’t think I’m quite good enough for England just yet!

“It’s been a brilliant experience to play for Northern Ireland. I’m hoping that now I’ve made the step up from Conference to League 2, I can maybe push for a squad place now in the World Cup qualifiers, which would be a dream come true and hopefully that can happen.”