Goalkeeper Gareth Halford admits he regrets quitting Albion Rovers – but feels like he is back at a “big club” after joining
The shotstopper spent a short spell at Rovers at the start of the League Two season last term, however after just five appearances exited Cliftonhill.
After winning the West Region League Two title last season with Lanark United, the 31-year-old was determined to play at a higher level again.
Cairn boss Jamie McKenzie has now snapped up Halford after he was put on the transfer list by United, and he feels he has joined a club “of a similar size and standard to Rovers.”
He told the Advertiser: “I fancied my chance at a big club again, and are a big club.
“I wanted to challenge myself again, and I felt like I had been lackadaisical since leaving Albion Rovers.
“I won the league last season but I wanted to push myself again. I see this as a similar calibre of challenge to Albion Rovers with the academy set-up and all the plans for new stands.”
He went on: “There was circumstances in my life that meant I left Albion Rovers. I wasn’t in the right state of mind at that point and I asked for my release.
“I look back on it now and I should probably asked for a couple of months out. I really regret that I gave up my chance at that level so easily.”
Halford is eyeing up a top six finish with the MTC Park outfit as a minimum. He said: “This is a club with a lot of ambitions, and they wanted me to be a part of it.
“I know I’ll need to be at my best because they have a really good goalkeeper [Iain Stewart] who is out injured just now.
“As soon as he is fit it will be a real fight to keep hold of the number one spot, so I need to make sure I’m fit.
“For the club, we’ve just been promoted and the standards is high, but a good first season gives a platform going forward.”
