Stirling Albion’s Ross Smith says he can’t wait for to the season getting underway in a revamped League Cup, writes Jamie Hall.

The defender is looking forward to facing quality opposition in the new group stage format, and he reckons the early start will prove useful when Albion’s League Two campaign eventually gets underway.

Smith told Stirling News Sport: “I’m looking forward to it, I think it will be something different. A group stage is not something I’ve ever been involved in before so it will be good to play different teams from different leagues and see how we match up against them, particularly Falkirk and St Johnstone.

"It is good to play teams like that because you test yourself, and it is good to get that sort of fitness in ahead of the league campaign. The league cup offers something to play for and it is a chance to go on a run. The competitive edge coming in earlier than it has will definitely help in the first few games of the league season.”

Smith admitted that the Binos underperformed last season but says they are now in a better place, and he has set his sights on automatic promotion.

He said: “For us last season I think we knew that we underperformed with the squad we had, and the boys were gutted with where we finished. We should have finished a lot higher and had a chance through the playoffs. I think that with the players the gaffer is bringing in, we should definitely be challenging more this season.

"We are aiming to have a good pre-season with the new boys. Hopefully we will gel quickly and have a good start because I think that’s important. Even if you are not winning every game, a point keeps momentum going.

“I said last year that in this league, anyone can beat anyone, but if you put a run together, it’s hard to get caught. Those points add up at the end of the season and if we can go on a good consecutive run, anything is possible for us.

"I’d be really happy if we gave it a really good title shot. Promotion by any means would be absolutely brilliant but winning it outright would be the best way. That’s what the players are aiming to do.”

The centre-back has been impressed with manager Stuart McLaren’s summer transfer business so far and believes the calibre of player joining the club shows they are serious contenders.

Smith added: “Blair Henderson proved that he can score goals every week down at Berwick and Marc McKenzie was one of Elgin’s best players last season.

"Seeing that sort of player leaving to join another League Two club shows that they want to work under the gaffer as well. I definitely think the fact that players are wanting to come to us shows that we mean business.”