DEAL ME IN SAYS DARREN
Central have a good day at Grangemouth Boss delighted at decision
Stirling Albion manager Dave Mackay is delighted that top scorer Darren Smith has agreed a new deal for the forthcoming campaign.
The PFA Scotland League 2 Player of the Year rattled in 25 goals for the Binos in 2017/18 despite an injury seeing him miss five matches from midMarch onwards.
Smith is a hugely popular figure with the Albion fans and the former Motherwell, Ross County and Stenhousemuir forward will now be back at Fortbank next season after he and goalkeeper Cammy Binnie became the latest players to agree terms.
Mackay said: “When you are out of contract as a player you are always going to see what is out there because it’s not as if our guys are earning fortunes and every little bit helps.
“But Darren is at the stage of his career where he wants to win things and he sees us as a good opportunity to do that.
“I know how much he enjoys it at Stirling Albion, he enjoys working with us and he’s got a good rapport with the fans. He feels loved and that was a big factor.
“It will be difficult to replicate the season he has just had in terms of the number of goals – he had an unbelievable return for a wide player.
If you compare him to other wide players I don’t think anyone would be near that but I know how hungry he is to achieve it again.
“Previously he maybe got more out of assists SEE PAGE 57 rather than scoring goals but he is getting himself into good areas of the pitch now and is scoring all sorts of goals for us.
“His overall play could definitely get better and I’ve not been shy in telling him that!
His goalscoring was phenomenal last season but his overall play was possibly better the previous year. There’s more to come in terms of his allround game and if we can keep the goals we’ll have some player.”
Mackay has made three new signings so far and expects to confirm another new addition this week.
Elgin City left-back Jordan Allan, St Johnstone midfielder Danny Jardine – who was on loan in the second half of last season – and UB United striker Kevin Fell are the new recruits so far. Another signing is imminent and Mackay also hopes to hear back later this week from another couple of potential new players.
Meanwhile, the club are close to finalising a number of friendly matches ahead of the 2018/19 season although it’s likely most, if not all, will be away from home.