HE’S had to wait almost three months but Rhys Breen has declared himself “proud as punch” at making his Athletic bow.

And the 21-year-old is relishing three matches in the space of a week that will be vital in their quest to move off the foot of the Championship table.

The central defender put pen to paper at East End in July after leaving Rangers – having also had a loan spell in the United States with Orange County FC at the end of last season – but a late substitute appearance for the injured Vytas Gašpuitis in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Kilmarnock was his first in black and white.

Injury and COVID-19 prevented Breen from taking to the pitch but, speaking to Press Sport this week, he said: “It was only five, six minutes that I was on for, but it goes a long way due to what I was through, with me getting injured and then getting COVID.

“I was proud as punch. Obviously getting a 2-2 draw out of it also, I was over the moon.

“Originally I was supposed to start one of the games – I can’t actually remember which one – and I ended up getting injured for two weeks. Then the COVID situation happened; I was out for at least a month with that because my isolation ended, and then my family ended up getting it. It was a really unfortunate time.

“We’re all fit, we’re all healthy and I’m back, and I can’t wait to get started.”

Breen continued: “I was bugging everybody about my house. I was wanting to go out, I wanted to go and do running.

“The second I got out the house, honestly, even just going out for a jog or a walk, I couldn’t stop smiling. I was over the moon. I’m glad I’m back into the way of things now.

“It was a frustrating time and, again, I kept forgetting the situation. I was like why am I unfit, why am I not as strong as I was? It’s that kind of mental toughness and, once I jumped over a little barrier, I was absolutely fine.

“I obviously wasn’t expecting this, and it was hard, but it went in fast for me. Now that I’m back with the boys, and I’m back doing what I love, it feels like it didn’t even happen.

“I like training but, when you’ve got three games in a couple of weeks, I love that even more. The next couple of weeks are vital for us to stay motivated to make sure we’re doing the right things.

“It’s vital to take nothing less than a win.”