RETURNING Sauchie hero Andy Shirra says he is delighted to be back where it all began for him more than a decade ago.

The midfielder has signed on at Beechwood Park until the end of next season after his departure from Linlithgow Rose, and he revealed that it was an easy decision to re-sign.

Now he has set his sights firmly on Scottish Cup glory and says there is no reason why Sauchie can’t go far in the competition.

Shirra told Advertiser Sport: “I’m delighted to be back. I had been at Linlithgow for five and a half years but I felt it was time for a change.

"It was difficult to leave after so long but I was looking for a new challenge and once Fraser phoned me it was an easy decision to come here. This is where it all started for me so I am glad to be back.

“A big part of my decision to come here was the fact that we are still in the Scottish Cup. It’s the only thing I haven’t won in the juniors.

"I have played in the semi-finals and the final but it’s always been the one that’s got away for me. We are going to be massive underdogs but we are in the last 32 and we can definitely go up to Broughty and give them a game.

"It’s a huge game. When your club is still in the Scottish Cup there is much more of a buzz about the place. It’s the holy grail in the juniors.”

Shirra admitted he would have liked to be playing in the Super League but reckons his side are in a great position to make an immediate return to the top tier.

He said: “I have signed for a year and half and I did say to Fraser that because I am getting on a bit now, I would like to be playing in the Super League while I can.

"But he has got a plan that we won’t be in the Premier League for long. We are in a great position. The boys have done really well in the first half of the season so hopefully we can keep that up and go on to win the league.”

The 32-year-old was in line to make his debut until Saturday’s fixture against Dundee Violet was called off, and although he revealed his frustration, the veteran says the decision did not come as a shock.

Shirra added: “To be honest it’s not much of a surprise that the game was called off. We were all expecting it.

"It’s frustrating but the manager is trying to organise a friendly for us during the week, so hopefully that will keep us ticking over ahead of the game on Saturday.”