Stuart McLaren says his side are keen to get started following the confirmation of their Betfred Cup fixtures.

The Binos will face Falkirk and Elgin City at Forthbank, and will travel to face Brechin City and St Johnstone.

The manager declared himself happy with the fixtures and reckons his players will relish the challenge of playing against quality opposition.

McLaren told Stirling News Sport: “I'm delighted with the fixtures we have. The only small hang-up we have is that we have to travel to Brechin on a Tuesday night. It's difficult but we will manage it. It will be worse for Elgin when they've got to come to us the following Tuesday. We are really excited about the competition, particularly as we will be playing Falkirk and St Johnstone who are very good teams. It is nice to get one of them right at the start and the other right at the end, just before we get into the league campaign. We are really looking forward to all four games.”

McLaren says the competition's new format will provide his side with the ideal preparation ahead of their assault on the League Two title.

He said: “We have a real desire and determination to be better than we were last season, and the lads we have brought in will be champing at the bit to get going. The Falkirk game is the first chance we will have to show the supporters what they can expect throughout the season, and rounding off the group stage with the St Johnstone tie will set us up really well for the league campaign. The two games in between will give us a really good marker of where we are at compared to other teams we will be competing with.”

The Binos boss revealed that he is not looking to add anyone else to his squad before the beginning of the season, while contract negotiations with French midfielder Aurelien Mazel are nearing a conclusion.

McLaren added: “I won't be bringing anybody else in. Aurelien Mazel will get tied up this week so we that will be sorted. It's just about finding the right time to meet up and go over the finer details but we will get that fixed up. For the time being, unless something spectacular falls out of the sky, that will be us. We will continue to monitor the squad and if we feel like we need anything or if an injury interrupts, then that would be the only circumstances in which we would bring anyone in.”