ALLOA new boy Scott Taggart says he would not have joined if he didn't believe the club could challenge for promotion next season.

The former Dumbarton defender checked into the club last weekend and reckons the Wee County club are the the perfect fit for him as it gives him chance to reconnect with former coach Jack Ross.

Taggart told Advertiser sport: “It is a great feeling to sign on here at Alloa. When I was released from Dumbarton, I was immediately desperate to get something else tied up quickly and so I was delighted to get the call from Jack. I know him well from our time at Dumbarton together and so I know how he likes to work, his training is excellent and he likes to play football the right way.

“It is really exciting to hear the manager say he wants us to go for promotion. To get one throughout your career is special, but it is a very difficult thing to achieve so that is what I am here to help the manager and the club do. We are looking to get ourselves straight back up into the Championship because it is such an exciting league now with some big teams in it. I wouldn't be here if I didn't believe the club was capable of doing just that and hopefully I can do my bit to help the cause.”

Taggart was delighted to be reunited with former team mates Jordan Kirkpatrick and Kevin Cawley and he is confident they can all help each other have another top season together.

The Wasps new boy was aware of the hold his former club had over his new employers in his time there, but now he is desperate to make amends for that by giving his all in Black and Gold.

He said: “There was obviously a good record that we had at Dumbarton in games against Alloa, but this is a new challenge for me here now to win the fans over and we want to do that to other clubs now.

“It is great to have a familiar face here at the club with me in Jordan Kirkpatrick. We have been best friends for a long time now and we work well together. I also played with Kevin Cawley too at Dumbarton last year so I am sure they will help me settle in quickly here at Alloa. I was really impressed by the manager's pitch about the club and his vision for it. The signings he has made have really been top notch so far and I decided that I really want to be apart of that.”

The former Sons star is known as an established right back, but revealed he can slot into a number of other positions on the park if and when required to help the team.

Taggart added: “Ever since my youth football days, I have been deployed all over the park whether it be at right back, centre half or even further forward in midfield. The manager is aware that I am willing to go and do that and play wherever I am needed to help the team so I just can't wait to get going now.”