BOBBY GRANT has hit the ground running in pre-season but the striker admits he needs to continue performing well when the 2019-20 campaign kicks off.

The 29-year-old endured a difficult first season at The Racecourse and came in for criticism from supporters.

But since returning from the summer break, Grant has produced a series of eye-catching displays, although he refuses to get carried away.

"We have still got a lot of work to do," said Grant. "We don't get carried away with having a few good games in a new system.

"I am not stupid enough to kid myself and kid everyone that the business starts when the season starts.

"I will judge myself and everyone will judge me on how I do this season because I am here to win football matches for Wrexham.

"I like having that pressure on me - I won't shy away from it. If I am not doing it then they have a right to have their say."

Grant, who initially joined Wrexham on loan from Fleetwood in November before making the move permanent, admits he under-performed last season.

Rather than shy away from the criticism, Grant is determined to show what he is capable of and prove why he has played at a higher level.

"Last year was a tough year," said Grant.

"I had a few problems off the field, a few personal problems and with another club, and sometimes it is not easy.

"You don't really want to bring your problems to work but if you don't play this game with a clear head and fully focus on it, your standards aren't there.

"Throughout my career I have set my own standards and last year I was far below them.

"But I am big enough, strong enough and mentally tough. I can take the criticism that I got last year.

"It is not a point to prove but I should be doing better at this level and my job is to help the team get to where they belong.

"I have got a clear head now, everything off the field is in great shape and I can fully focus on my football.

"As the lads have said to me, they can see that on the pitch and as long as we are winning football matches and I can help the team, everything is good."

Grant insists supporters have a right to criticise players who he says have to take the rough with the smooth.

"I have been in the game long enough and I have played at a good enough level, you have got to take the good with the bad," said Grant.

"Some people don't like getting criticised but people have a right to say what they want; they pay their money to come and watch the game.

"I was brought into this club to win football matches. You can make every excuse in the world but at the end of the day, last year it wasn't good enough from myself.

"This year I have come back, I am in great shape and the lads are all doing well."

Grant, who twice hit the woodwork in Wrexham's 1-0 defeat against Portimonense during the club's pre-season training camp in Portugal, finally bagged his first goal in Saturday's 2-0 win at Telford.

"We have changed the system which suits me an absolute treat," added Grant.

"I have played it before and hopefully I can continue getting in the right areas, and start finding the net.

"It was a great test for us in Portugal but I thought we were outstanding.

"Even though we lost we could have quite easily won the game. The lads gave me a bit of stick for hitting the bar and the post because I did the same in training on Friday.

"The manager said 'just hit the net!' but it was nice to score against Telford."