Victoria’s forced to hurryback

Albion Rovers striker Joao Victoria admits he has mixed feelings ahead of facing former club East Kilbride on Saturday.

Victoria was the top scorer for the Lowland League champions last season and secured a move back to the SPFL with his dynamic performances upfront.

After 25 goals last season and narrowly missing out on promotion to the SPFL with Kilby in play-off final defeat to Cowdenbeath, Victoria was snapped up by Brian Kerr as one of his first signings.

The forward, who has already had spells in the SPFL with Arbroath and Queen’s Park, admits it will be a strange feeling heading for the away dugout at East Kilbride’s K-Park.

Victoria says he isn’t exactly looking forward to the the return, stating that he didn’t expect to be back so soon.

However, he wants to hit the ground running for Rovers.

“It’ll be a strange one for me,” he said. “It will be great to see some of the boys but if I’m honest, I didn’t expect to be facing them and didn’t really want to. But I have some good memories of playing at K-Park and hopefully that can continue with Rovers.”

Victoria has been enjoying a goalscoring pre-season, particularly impressing fans with his double against Clyde.

He has been enjoying a “positive” start to life at Cliftonhill. He added: “Everything is starting to come together just at the right time, so there is a real positive mood.

“Hopefully we can get off to a good start in the cup.”