Other than the baby-faced looks, one of the first things to strike you about Connor Jennings is his confidence.

This is one 20-year-old who seemingly doesn’t suffer from nerves.

New club? No problem. Pressure? Non-existent.

Although understandably a little overwhelmed by the whirlwind which has turned his life upside down over the past week, the front man was composure personified in his first ever press conference.

And he is certain the same will apply on the pitch.

It would be easy for Jennings to get weighed down with expectation after making the move from Stalybridge Celtic to Scunthorpe United.

Not only is he trying to bridge three rungs of the football ladder, going from Blue Square North to League One, he joins a club with a special affection for strikers.

Billy Sharp, Andy Keogh, Martin Paterson, Gary Hooper – Jennings knows the names and now wants to add his own to that list.

Aiming high comes naturally to this Mancunian.

“It’s always been my dream,” Jennings said of plying his trade in the Football League.

“Nothing comes without hard work.

“I like to think my hard work at Stalybridge has paid off, so I’ll be doing the exact same here at Scunthorpe and hopefully we’ll be successful.

“I came up through the Stalybridge youth team, went up to the reserves and then broke into the first-team when I was 17, then took it from there really.

“Before that I was playing for my local Sunday league side, then I got the chance to play for the Stalybridge youth team.

“I got my chance and I took it, and now I’m at Scunthorpe United in League One.

“It’s happened in four or five years, from Sunday league to League One.

“Obviously that was my aim – aim high – but I maybe didn’t expect it to happen as quick as it has.

“I’ve met some great players, great staff and people along the way who have helped me and turned me into the player I am now.

“The Stalybridge lads deserve credit as well, they were fantastic.

“There’s been quite a few non-league players who have come up and are now playing higher – League One all the way up to the Premier League.

“That doesn’t faze me. That’s their career, I’m just concentrating on mine and Scunthorpe.”

In fact the only aspect of his move which seems to unnerve Jennings somewhat is the traditional Iron induction.

The England C international, who signed a two-and-a-half year deal last week, will join his new team-mates for his first away trip today when Scunthorpe visit Colchester United.

And he knows a small sing-along will be used to pass the time.

“I’ve heard I’ll be singing on the coach,” he grinned.

“I know what I’m going to sing but I’m just going to keep that for the lads!”

Other than that, Jennings is taking everything in his stride.

Having found the net 19 times already this term, a season he describes as ‘the best so far’, he knows exactly what attracted the attentions of United manager Alan Knill.

“I’m enthusiastic, I’ve got determination, I’ve got work rate and I score goals,” he said.

“So far this season has been really good. I’ve scored 19, hopefully I can improve that with Scunthorpe.

“I’m just going to take it as it comes.

“Everyone’s different, everyone adapts differently.

“If I adapt quicker than people think, then that’s great. I just want to show people what I’m capable of.

“You can’t think too much or too hard about it because it might get to you.

“You just take it day by day, try to settle in as quick as I can.

“I’ve heard bits and bobs about the club.

“I know they’ve had some good strikers in the past. But I feel no pressure by it.

“We’re all individuals, we’re all different players.

“They’ve done their bit for the club, now I’m here and I’m going to do my bit.

“I’m a confident lad. It’s my job and I enjoy it.

“I just want to get my head down and do well for the club and the fans.

“I want to help the lads get out of the position they’re in.

“They’re not in any particularly bad position, but I want to help improve the squad and improve the club.

“It’s a lovely ground, I’ve heard there are good fans here and there are great staff and great players.

“Stalybridge was full-time in a part-time league, but everything about Scunthorpe is totally different.

“It’s a lot more professional, not in a bad way to Stalybridge or anything, but it’s totally different.

“It’s all great.

“I can see a lot of things that are different and I feel like I’m going to enjoy it here.

“It’s only my first week, but once I’ve settled in I’ll start to enjoy it even more.”

Knill has admitted some ‘patience’ will be required when it comes to easing Jennings into action.

But his flexibility is sure to mean a debut won’t be long coming.

Able to play anywhere across a front three, with pace to boot, the man himself says he is happy to fill in where necessary.

And if he proves to be anything like the two players he models himself on, the Iron will have a real gem on their hands.

“I’ll easy work with anyone,” said the forward.

“I’m pretty easy to work with.

“I’m sure we’ll work on things on the training field together, whoever it will be.

“We’ll have to see what happens.

“I’m my own player but I liked to look up to Alan Shearer when he used to play.

“I used to be a big Newcastle fan because I’ve got family up there.

“So Alan Shearer and Wayne Rooney, I’ve always looked up to them.

“They’re my idols.

“But I’m Connor Jennings, I’m my own player.”