RENE Gilmartin was 'delighted' to be back in The Saddlers' starting XI on Saturday.

The Irish stopper replaced Clayton Ince, who is on International Duty with Trinidad & Tobago, to make his eighth appearance of the season.

"I was absolutely delighted to be playing again," he said afterwards. "I am ready. I just need to get games under my belt. I have said from the start that I am an ambitious guy and want to push Clayton. That's where I need to be."

Gilmartin admits that he is his own biggest critic and explained that he has analysed his performance and will continue to work hard to improve his overall game.

Other than Frankie Artus' third minute 30-yard strike, Gilmartin was rarely tested against The Robins but he believes that there were aspects of his performance that can be improved upon.

"I'd rate my performance as 50 or 60 per cent. I can do much better than that. I can be more comfortable than that and my kicking was poor.

"I admit that their goal surprised me. He struck it well but I need to say to myself 'why am I getting surprised by these shots?' I am disappointed with the goal because of how far out he was. That said, it was a decent hit.

"I didn't have much to do but I want to feel comfortable in the game and play my own game instead.

"I thought in the second half I grew more into the game and became more comfortable. My kicking in the reserves is fine but I go out there for the first team and a few kicks go astray.

"That's not right and I need to change it because I am trying to carve out a career for myself."

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