MIKO VIRTANEN cited Brian Rice as being a key factor in his decision to sign for Alloa.

The midfielder joined the Wasps as the summer transfer window opened, after having worked with Rice during his time at Hamilton.

Virtanen played the full 90 minutes in a pre-season friendly against Celtic B, which saw the Wasps end their campaign with a 4-1 win.

Speaking to Advertiser Sport after the match, Virtanen said he has settled in seamlessly with the club.

“I think it’s a great group of lads,” Virtanen said. “This is the second time signing for the gaffer so it’s great to be able to work under him for a bit longer than at Hamilton.

“Training has been really good, I feel I’ve really settled it and it’s helpful that I knew some of the boys already.

“I was with Morgyn [Neill] when I was at Cove, Luke Donnelly I knew from my time at Arbroath so it’s been easy to come in.

“It’s been nice to play games every Tuesday and Saturday, I feel that builds fitness quite nicely. You can gel much better when you’re playing regularly so it’s been good.”

Rice signed Virtanen for Hamilton in 2021, shortly before he departed the club. The gaffer praised him for his strength when he signed for Alloa.

Virtanen said Rice was a key factor in his choice to sign for the Wasps and was keen to work under him again.

“Oh, yes, he was definitely a big part of my decision,” Virtanen added. “I spoke to him quickly before I signed for Cove.

“The opportunity came to sign for Cove which was handy because I’d spent time in Aberdeen before.

“After that, I was very keen to come and work with him. That was the big draw for me to go to Hamilton in the first place – so I could work with him and work with his set up.

“I thought that would be perfect for me as well in this stage of my career.”

Virtanen struggled with injuries during his time at Hamilton, only playing five times during the 2022-2023 season before being released in January.

From then, the midfielder signed a short-term contract with Cove Rangers, making 11 appearances in Paul Hartley’s side as they were demoted from the Championship.

Virtanen added: “I’ve had a rough couple of years with injuries at both Hamilton and Cove so it’s nice to actually get through six or seven games without issues.

“The club has been really good with me to make sure I’m holding up well with my injury record.

“The staff are taking good care of me and I hope that’s showing on the pitch, I feel good and it’s been a good start for me here.”

Virtanen rounded off the pre-season campaign with a 4-1 victory over Celtic B, playing the full 90 minutes of the match as the team look towards their 2023/24 League Cup campaign.

He insisted the team is ready to go and had the aim of progressing as far as they could through the cup.

“I feel Celtic B was a good test,” he added. “They like to pass out from the back and they’re quite brave on the ball.

“It was a good match up, a good workout and it gave the gaffer a chance to look at a few boys in different positions.

“I think we’re ready to go on in the cup and see where that takes us. We want to get through the group and progress as far as we can.

“First step is winning the first few games and then see where that takes us.”