Andre Gray still looking to learn at Plymouth Argyle at the age of 33

Striker Andre Gray sees part of his role at Plymouth Argyle as passing on advice to the younger players in the team and leading by example.

The 33-year-old admitted he was not a captain type because he was 'a bit introverted' but thought he could call upon his experience to help out his team-mates during testing moments.

Gray was struck by the fact that Argyle had a largely young squad when he joined as a free agent at the start of October. "I came in and that was the first thing I thought," he said. "There's different types of leaders in the world - some lead with their words and some lead by example - and I try to lead by example.

READ MORE: Plymouth Argyle face Morgan Whittaker fitness issue for Norwich City clash

READ MORE: Plymouth Argyle using 'Rooney Time' to pick up vital Championship points

"That's me. I'm a bit introverted like that so I'm not going to be the one that's a captain type. I try to lead by example and do small things because I see the young boys and sometimes they get their heads down and they lose their confidence throughout games.

"I have been there and it's just trying to advise them throughout the game mainly to keep their heads up, just giving them that boost, and hopefully they can take that from me and it helps them."

While Gray is ready to lead by example on the pitch, he also believes that even relatively late in his career there is still plenty he can learn from Argyle head coach, and Manchester United's record goalscorer, Wayne Rooney.

Gray said: "I think at my age you learn more about character and someone's aura. That's what I have learned the most about him. I think if someone asked me what kind of person I am, I would say I'm a humble person.

"I think that's why I get on with him because he is as well. For me, he's the best player ever to play for England and you would never think he has done what he has done. He's a normal person. It would be easy for him to be arrogant and speak to us as if why can't we do this because he could, and he doesn't. That's the kind of person I like to be around."

He added: "No-one is too clever. Never stop asking questions. Keep learning because that's how we grow. It could be anything. I'm 33 but I can still be better at heading the ball, I can still be better at holding the ball up. No-one is complete."

Gray has been with Argyle for almost a couple of months now and following a spell without a club after leaving Saudi Pro League side Al Riyadh in the summer it has taken him time to get up to speed fitness-wise.

He proved his worth to the side with two superb goals in the 2-2 draw with Watford at Home Park n Friday, including an equaliser in the sixth minute of added time at the end of the Sky-televised clash, but the Jamaica international believes there is still scope to get better.

Gray said: "I think I was 80 per cent there (against Watford), still a bit loose in some passes and stuff, and I started to tire near the end but I'm old enough now to know how to manage myself throughout the game where I'm not compromising the team. I tried to do that so I could push myself towards the end."

While the equaliser was an excellent curling finish from just inside the penalty area, his first goal was simply outstanding as he caught a long diagonal cross from defender Lewis Gibson on the volley and put the ball into the far corner of the net.

Gray said: "I just took a chance. If you watch me throughout my career, I think I have always been at my best when I'm instinctive and I don't think. It was a great ball from Gibbo. I didn't really think, you have got nothing to lose, just hit it and I caught it perfectly."

When asked whether he had ever scored two goals of such quality in the same game, he replied: "No, I'm a typical number nine. I'm usually through ball man, run onto it, bottom corner - the odd tap in here and there. Not many headers and not many screamers."

Gray's dramatic equaliser against Watford was the latest in a series of last-gasp goals scored by Argyle in the closing stages of games at Home Park this season, which have turned draws into wins and defeats into draws.

On what he put that down to, Gray said: "I don't know. I think the easiest thing to say is the fans push us on and are fantastic, which they are, and I will take no credit away from that. They are our 12th man.

"We are a very young team so I think the boys are probably adapting to different environments when they are playing away. It's a different kind of pressure so probably they feel more comfortable here when we play at home.

"The boys seem to be a lot more confident at home. I'm sure it's something the gaffer (Rooney) has been looking at, as to why we can't replicate that away from home. It's something we need to work on.

"Look, at the end of the day, if we are good at home and not so good away I think that will keep us safe. So take it as it is at home, it's good for us, and we just need to focus on what we are doing away from home as well."

Argyle are still seeking their first away Championship win of the season as they go into a week which will see them travel to Norwich City tomorrow night and Bristol City on Saturday.

Gray said: "I think as soon as we get it, it's like a roll-on effect then. We just need to take every game as it comes. The last away game against Derby was a good point. You can't win every game in this league, we know that, but it's important to try not to drop so many points as we have, and stay in games. We are conceding sloppy goals that can be avoided."

The experienced striker is under contract at Argyle until January and declared: "I'm happy here. I scored two goals (against Watford) but there is still work to do. We have got a lot of games coming up until that time my contract is finished.

"I'm happy here, I'm happy with the staff, I'm happy with the boys and hopefully something can get arranged, we will see, but that's out of my hands at the end of the day. There is a long way to go and football changes very fast."

You can read more of our Argyle stories from Plymouth Live by clicking HERE