Martin Findlay insists his desire to put one over former side Darvel this Saturday is nothing personal.
The Irvine Meadow ace parted ways with the ambitious East Ayrshire outfit when manager Mick Kennedy took the reins in July last year.
Both Findlay and Darvel have plotted their own path to the top flight in the west since.
And while the 24-year-old defender admits he’s desperate to win this weekend’s league clash between the sides, he insists his only motivation is to get Meadow motoring up the table.
“I don’t feel I personally have a point to prove against Darvel, that comes more from a team point of view, said Findlay.
“I enjoyed my time at Darvel, we won the Ayrshire District League title and had two seasons in the Championship before Mick came in.
“He had his own ideas and wanted to bring in his own players. That’s what happens in football sometimes and I’ve no problems at all with that.
“I moved on to Whitletts and really enjoyed my football there and now I’m delighted to be at Meadow.
“This is my first real crack at this level and I’m really relishing the challenge.
“We know Darvel will be another test for us. They beat us 2-1 in pre-season but it was an end-to-end game and I think you can expect to see that again on Saturday.
“Both teams have quality players and hopefully we can build on the good start we’ve had to the season.”
Only Darvel's superior goal difference separates the sides after four league games. Both teams are locked on nine points in fourth and fifth place respectively.
Findlay reckons the Meadow squad have already formed a strong team spirit – despite a large number of new arrivals in the summer.
He added: “We’ve a big squad but what’s struck me is how tight knit we are – particularly for a relatively new group of players.
"The boys and the management couldn't have been any more welcoming to me. Everything is all about encouragement and that includes the boys on the park, the managers on the touchling and the injured players in the stand.
“There’s a real determination to do well and you need that to succeed at a club like Meadow. We can’t just be happy to finish mid-table or avoid relegation."
