SHAY McCartan won't get hung up on justifying his six-figure price tag.

The Northern Ireland international signed for City in a move thought to be around £200,000 from Accrington.

It made him one of the stand-out recruits in a summer which has seen the arrival of numerous new faces.

But the 23-year-old isn't fazed by the spotlight ahead of today's opening League One game at home to Blackpool.

He said: "I don’t really look into it. Some people ask is there pressure but I don’t see pressure.

"I just ignore all that stuff, it doesn’t bother me.

"I just want to focus on football and playing well. Hopefully, I can start today or come on and make an impression."

McCartan has felt the benefits of a full pre-season at a higher-level club, having been injured during the build-up to the previous three campaigns.

He said: "I had heat stroke three years ago, two years ago I had a broken wrist and then last year I had a hematoma (blood swelling) in my leg so the last three seasons have been interrupted in pre-season or I’ve missed the start of the campaign.

"I feel fitter this year having a full pre-season. It helps you massively.

"Playing with better players and the better standard in training also helps and even the facilities, with the gym and the pool for recovery.

"Coming from League Two, I've not been used to it. That's no disrespect to Accrington. I'm enjoying it and it's a great opportunity for me to come and do well hopefully."

With chief striker Charlie Wyke not yet fit due to a hamstring injury, McCartan admits the responsibility is among himself and other fellow forwards to get among the goals.

He said: "You can’t rely on one man to score all of them. It's nice for someone to get 20-25 goals but it's even better if you’ve got three or four players getting ten or 15."