Felix Gschossmann:

“Now I can show myself”

Felix Gschossmann (Wed.)(Bild: SKN St. Pölten)

Franz Stolz is gone, Thomas Turner is injured - St. Pölten's new number 1 is Felix Gschossmann. On Friday, the 27-year-old will make his starting eleven debut in League Two against former club Amstetten.

Following the transfer of Franz Stolz to FC Genoa, St. Pölten's sporting director Tino Wawra brought Felix Gschossmann to the Traisen on loan from his former club BW Linz in the final stages of the transfer window: "An outstanding two-man who you can put in at any time - and someone who pushes on the bench and always spreads a good atmosphere in the dressing room." Obviously the kind of team player you want . . .

. . . but who today steps out of his shadow and suddenly finds himself in the spotlight. Due to Thomas Turner's cruciate ligament rupture, Gschossmann is SKN's new number one in the final third of the second division season.

Felix Gschossmann(Bild: GEPA pictures/ Michael Meindl)

 "Even though I would have wished for different circumstances, of course, I'm happy that I'm getting minutes," explained the 27-year-old, who came to St. Pölten from Nöchling at the age of 13, went through the academy but only made it as far as the Juniors. Even after moving to Amstetten in 2017, Gschossmann was repeatedly given the role of stand-by keeper. First alongside David Affengruber, later alongside Dennis Verwüster. In the three and a half years in Linz, he had to line up behind Nicolas Schmid. "But he was always loyal," says Wawra.

Gschossmann is ready for his debut(Bild: GEPA pictures/ Walter Luger)

As chance would have it, Gschossmann will make his debut for the SKN professionals today against Amstetten of all clubs. Against the club for whom he played 21 of his 26 second division games. And that was after their promotion together six years ago. He ignores the fact that the Mostviertel side could be even closer to relegation today: "I can show myself now, I have to perform. The whole team is working on constantly improving - which of course includes a home win against Amstetten." So that the good mood in the dressing room is not solely dependent on Gschossmann.