Carlisle United Football Club

Manager Keith Curle said: “We’re pleased to have Georg on board. He’s very hard working and tenacious and he has good ability. 

“He has an eye for goal and he knows when to gamble. We now need to get the ball to him in the right areas. He’s the same as any other forward, he’ll thrive off that.” 

“We’re building up a good relationship with Bolton,” he continued. “We’ll even be going down there tonight [Monday] to watch their U21 game against Southampton. That will allow us to start to build up a personal relationship with the management staff at the club.” 

And it was very much in at the deep end for the Bulgarian born forward when he was informed on Thursday he would be starting the game.

“I got a call on Wednesday night from Andy Hughes, the Bolton U21 coach, and he told me I was meant to come to Carlisle to train on Thursday morning,” Iliev explained. “He said I would then be travelling down to Plymouth with the team on Friday. 

“I was really excited when I got the news because this is a great opportunity for me. I got a chance to speak to Hayden [White] about the move and he said some really nice things. He loves it here and he told me I should come. 

“It means I can get some experience and play some first team football. I found out I was playing at the team meeting on Thursday afternoon. I was a little bit nervous before the game but I was fine once I got out on the pitch. Playing in front of the fans was superb and it’s good to be involved with first team football. It was my first experience of that and it’s what it’s all about.

“Bolton want me to get as much game time as possible. I haven’t had chance to speak with the first team manager down there so I’m excited about the challenge of catching his eye as well.”

“With the way we played on Saturday I think we have some good players here,” he told us. “I found that it’s a lot different to U21 development football. It’s much quicker and the players are stronger and more physical. Like I said, playing in front of the fans was very good. They clapped me when my name was read out and that was nice for me to see.”

As to what he’ll add to the squad, he said: “I think I’m a hard working player, good in the air and I’m physical. I have a bit of pace and I like to do what I can for the team. Hopefully I’ll score goals and help them to win games.

“There’s a good mood round the place and I’m happy to be here. I’m looking forward to the game against Burton because it’s a chance to meet the home fans on our home ground. Hopefully, if I play, I’ll show a bit more than I did on Saturday and I’ll kick on from there.”