ROSS MACIVER has joined Alloa on a permanent deal as Brian Rice continues his preparations for the League One promotion push.

MacIver, who signed for Alloa on loan under Rice last season, was released by Partick Thistle this month after the expiry of his contract.

The deal was agreed and MacIver signed his contract on Tuesday night.

MacIver had a big impact on the Wasps’ end of season run-in, scoring in a victory against Clyde and also providing fellow loanee Euan Henderson three assists in the final game of the season.

Rice told Advertiser Sport: “I’m delighted to get him.

“He was making a contribution coming off the bench then when he got his chance I think everyone saw what a good player he could be for us.

“We’re going to need good players because it’s going to be a really competitive league.”

Rice has already said he needs goalkeepers, with Keir Burt the only goalkeeper on the club's books at the moment.

He continued: “There’s full time clubs, part time clubs, there’s eight astroturf pitches and clubs with a lot bigger budget than ours but that doesn’t make a difference, we just need to concentrate on exactly what we’re doing and do the best we can.

“I’m hopeful it’s a good season.

“I’ve not rushed in, there’s been plenty of names thrown at us but the priority was to get the ones that we had at the club tied up so we didn’t lose them.

“When you look at the league I think it’s going to be a fantastically difficult league to be, it’s going to be a great league and we need to make sure we’re competitive.”