Czech keeper Tomas Holy will clock up his 100th appearance for the Gills on Saturday – not that the 27-year-old is counting.

His main focus this weekend is picking up maximum points to get another step closer to safety.

“Honestly, I never really count,” he said. “I go game to game, step by step and it is just a number.

“I am happy that I have played those games. I have stayed healthy and it has only taken a couple of seasons to reach that figure.

“Others might take three or four years to do that, because of injuries and form. I am not saying that my form was always brilliant but I am very thankful for being able to play so many games in a row, it is unbelievable for me to make 100 appearances, but it is just a number.

“It doesn’t matter if it is my 100th appearance, 93rd or 104th, we need three points and we have to do everything we can to get them.”

Holy is hoping Gills can get safe as quickly as possible and would love to see his understudy Tom Hadler get some game-time before the season ends.

He said: “I wish we will be safe early, in two or three games and then we can play calm and others can get a chance, including Tom, especially him.

“Tom is so intelligent. I think he would stay mentally strong and I would have no worries about him.”

Holy’s future with the Gills beyond this season is uncertain. He is out of contract in the summer and would love the chance to play at a higher level.

Chairman Paul Scally has already said that they are likely to lose their stopper to a Championship side.

He said: “At the moment, I don’t know what will happen in the summer.

“But I am not running away from this club. I am not going to finish the season and just go away, not at all, but if I have a chance of playing higher level I would love to go and try. I hope that people will understand that.

“Football life is not too long, I can’t play until I’m 60-70. When I was 20-21 I was playing for fun still but as time goes by you recognise that you need to earn some money and football is my job. I am 27 and I have to think about my future.

“It doesn’t mean it is only about money but I would love to play higher if I can.

“I will never forget what this club has done for me.

“I will always remember Gillingham as that club that gave me the chance to play in England and I will never forget the fans singing my name.”

Holy could have already had a lucrative deal elsewhere, before coming to the Gills, but it’s not all about wages for him.

He was offered a deal to play in the Georgian capital Tbilisi.

“I could have got good money, an apartment, a car, everything, playing at the top level but the rest of the league is seriously bad and I said no,” he revealed.

“I love the sport and I love football. I want to play good football, nice football, in front of brilliant people. I wouldn’t go just anywhere.”

Holy is likely to have family members over for next weekend’s game against Rochdale and might have a few extra fans in the crowd this weekend, too.

“My mum doesn’t come over because she is so scared of flying,” said the 6ft 9inch keeper.

“It would take something big to happen for her to come over on a plane and maybe she would need to be a bit drunk!

“My dad and uncle are coming over at the end of this month to watch the game against Rochdale at home. The day before the Wimbledon game the Czech Republic are playing against England and a few Czech fans are saying there are coming.”

Holy is predicting a 2-1 win for his home nation in the European Championship qualifier tomorrow (Friday).

Some fans have suggested he might even be worthy of a call-up but the Czech Republic is a breeding ground for some top-class goalies.

Petr Cech made a name for himself in this country with Chelsea and others are coming through with Matej Kovar at Manchester United and Vitezslav Jaros in Liverpool’s youth ranks. Meanwhile, Slovak stopper Martin Dubravka is at Newcastle, having joined from Sparta Prague.

“We have good ones in good clubs in good competitions and youngsters coming through,” Holy said.

“We have always had good goalkeepers in the Czech Republic but I think it’s too late for me!”