Gilmartin played 37 games while at Walsall

Scott Loach may have been Watford's first-choice goalkeeper last season, but new-boy Rene Gilmartin believes the pair are on an equal footing.

Gilmartin, 23, arrives from Walsall looking to usurp the 22-year-old in his first campaign at Vicarage Road.

"There's never a number one at a club," he told BBC Three Counties Radio.

"Scott Loach has done very well for Watford and I'm looking to do the exact same. If Scott starts the season then brilliant, I support him 100 percent."

Loach, 22, was an ever present in the Championship last term and despite being one-year Gilmartin's junior, the incoming Irishman knows he is playing catch-up when it comes to playing experience.

"Age doesn't hold any merit. Everyone talks about age, but the word experience is what you're looking at," he said.

"He's an experienced player in the Championship, I was an experienced player in League One last season, they're obviously two very different leagues.

"If Scott Loach keeps doing well he might move on, where does that leave me? I might step in and fill his shoes, but I'm really happy with the relationship."

Youngsters will form a key part of Malky Mackay's squad this season as the Hornets boss has been set the challenge of building a Championship side while balancing the club's delicately poised books.

Centre-half Tom Aldred, 19, who has made the move from Carlisle, has only five League One appearances to his name, but he felt the move south would be good for his career.

"There's a lot of young players here who have made appearances here and I want to emulate that," said Aldred.

"My realistic aim is to become a Championship player by training with Championship players.

"There are some massive clubs in this league now and I'm under no illusions about how difficult it will be."

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