The 21-year-old from Earlston, who has spent an amazing nine seasons at East End Park, broke into the first team last season.

And he is tipped to eventually become the club’s permanent number one.

But a trip to the Spanish holiday island at the start of June almost ended his career.

Ryan told us: “I picked up some kind of virus when I was over there. I felt terrible on the last day of my holiday and went to hospital as soon as I got home.

“It turned out I was suffering from pneumonia.” Tests at Borders General Hospital revealed that Ryan’s blood oxygen levels were at a critical 79 per cent.

And he was hooked up to drips as doctors helped him fight back from pneumonia.

Ryan added: “I have never been ill before and have always looked after myself.

“It’s been about four weeks since I got out of hospital. I have been doing some swimming and light running - but it’s only now that I am back training properly with the team.

“It was a scare but it’s behind me. I did well at Dunfermline last season and I can’t wait to get the gloves back on.” Ryan made his first team competitive debut last season at Airdrie.

And went on to make half a dozen appearances - including home and away fixtures against Rangers.