MIDFIELD ace Darren Petrie says he has a point to prove after joining Stirling Albion from Championship side Raith Rovers.

The former Dundee United kid is champing at the bit to play regular football after failing to nail down a first-team spot at Tannadice or Stark's Park.

Petrie told Stirling News Sport: “I'm delighted to get signed up and I'm looking forward to the season ahead. Over the past two years I haven't really played consistently so I see this as an opportunity, if I have a good pre-season and start off well, to get my name on the teamsheet every week. The main thing for me, in order to keep progressing, is to get playing, and hopefully I will be able to show people what I'm capable of again.

“Of course I feel like I have a point to prove. Sometimes it is hard to get a chance at bigger clubs. Sometimes you feel you deserve a chance that you never got as well, so hopefully I can make up for lost time this season.”

Stirling-born Petrie revealed it was manager Stuart McLaren's ambitions for the club which convinced him to return to the city and sign for his local team.

He said: “I had a few offers from other teams but I met Stuart McLaren a few times and I liked the way he spoke. He wants the best for me and he has ambitions for the club, which was a big factor in me coming here.

“Because it is local it's a lot handier for me, but I wouldn't have gone to any club just because it was close by. I feel like it is the right opportunity for me. The manager was speaking very highly of the club, so I think it was the right decision to come here.”

The versatile midfielder is aiming for promotion this season and says the squad will not be happy if they have not achieved at least a playoff place come the end of the season.

Petrie added: “We are not going to settle for anything less than at least getting into the playoffs. When I spoke to the manager, he wants to have us in a position to win the league this season and then work our way up over the next couple of years. We are not settling for where we are. We are wanting to go on to bigger and better things.”