Gillingham manager Andy Hessenthaler believes newly-signed keeper Paulo Gazzaniga is primed for the big time.

Hessenthaler has predicted big things for the 19-year-old, pictured, who has signed a two-year deal, and has already warned senior keeper Ross Flitney that he has serious competition for his starting place.

"He is exciting and I think he can go all the way," said Hessenthaler of his ninth summer signing. "I will put my neck on the line. He could well play in the Premier League one day.

"In any division you have to be able to kick the ball. It’s a big part of being a goalkeeper and he kicks it an absolute mile. What that does is takes the pressure off us defensively. Both he and Ross are very good kickers."

Gazzaniga is a former Valencia youth player with a father who was on the books of famous Argentine club River Plate and a brother playing top-flight football in Spain with Almeria.

Hessenthaler added: "Ross is never going to be a certainty and I have been impressed with Paulo."

And Flitney was in Hessenthaler’s bad books on Saturday after arriving late and then letting in two late goals in the defeat to Peterborough.

The Gills boss said: "Ross won’t be happy with the decision he made for their goal. He has to save it and he was told. But he didn’t turn up until about ten to three because he had a problem on the motorway. We’ve had words."

Who should Andy Hessenthaler pick for Saturday's opener against Cheltenham. Have your say in our comments section below.

Don't miss Friday's Medway Messenger for all the latest Gills news and interviews ahead of the new season.