Smith on target
Darren Smith scored Stirling’s first league goal of the season against one of his former clubs in Saturday’s 3-2 win over Stenhousemuir at Ochilview and marked it with an impressive celebration.
The 29-year-old, who also netted at Falkirk in the Betfred Cup, said:“It was a struggle to jump up on the wall at my age! We had a great support there and that shows the size and strength of the club so hopefully we can continue to get those numbers or maybe even more.
“It was a good goal all round with the build-up play and we have good options with Peter MacDonald, who will get a lot of goals, then Ross Kavanagh coming off the bench and scoring.
“We were disappointed with our first-half performance because we didn’t really show what we have done in the past couple of weeks. The second half was more like how we want to play – it’s a massive result and it sends out a message to get a win away from home against one of the favourites for the league so it’s a good start for us.”
He said:“It all comes down to consistency over the season and hopefully we can do that. There’s no point in saying we are going to do this or that but we just need to go into the Berwick game and try to win.
“There were a few of the boys who were with us previously who are now at Stenhousemuir so that gave things an added edge and it was nice to win a local derby. It shows a good bit of resolve and character that when the chips are down we can produce a result.”
The former Motherwell man admits on-loan Hearts winger Callumn Morrison was a key factor in the season getting off to an ideal start.
Smith said:“He’s come back this year and at times he has been unplayable. Some of the times in the second half no-one could get near him. He’s full of energy, he’s fast and is a real goal threat. He’s got a very bright future ahead of him if he keeps going the way he is going.”