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Veteran midfielder Iain Vigurs admits he’s excited by the prospect of playing in the Championship again at the age of thirty-four.

Iain has previously been a title-winner in the second tier of Scottish football, having won it with Ross County in season 2011-12 – when the Championship was still known as Divison One – to help the Highlanders secure promotion to the top flight for the first time in their history.

Iain is delighted he will get another crack at competing at that level with Cove Rangers in the coming season.

“Getting to the age that I’m at now I thought I was just going to go on a steady decline down the divisions,” said Iain.

“It’s great to instead be going up a level again with Cove.

“It’s exciting times to be at this club and it doesn’t matter what age you are, you are happy to be a part of it all. We have some really good quality throughout the squad, so are confident we can do well.

“There is also the added incentive of having to win over a new manager too.”

With Jim McIntyre settling into the job, and having had two warm-ups and a series of training sessions, Iain says he and the rest of the squad are getting a feel for what the boss is looking for,

“He wants us to play with a high press and intensity, which will mean a lot more running for the likes of myself. But I know it’s what will have to be done if I’m to stay involved.

“I’ve done it many times before because every manager I’ve played for tended to have a different outlook.

“Like I said, it’s a challenge I’m happy to take on, even it’s going to be tough on my old legs.”

Iain scored in last weekend’s 8-1 victory over Gala Fairydean Rovers at Balmoral Stadium.

But he accepts this Saturday’s friendly clash against St Johnstone in Perth (kick-off 1.00pm) will be a much tougher proposition.

“It will be good because it’s a step up and against opponents who are full-time and well on with their preparations to compete in the Premiership,” said Iain.

“The game against Gala was more about getting our fitness levels up, although it was great to score so many goals, and to see them shared about.

“But it’s important to increase the quality levels of the opposition as you move towards the start of the season.

“Playing St Johnstone will give us a better idea of where we are as we prepare for what will be some very tough tests in the Premier Sports Cup, as well as the Championship.

“The opportunity to also go through a proper pre-season build-up has been great as well.

“Last year we were only able to do one full training session before heading into the League Cup games.

“It’s better that we’ve been able to get a lot more work done this time around.”

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