Aaron Weir admitted it was extra satisfying to break his goalscoring duck with a “screamer” – and says he’s happy to be part of the Stirling Albion youth revolution.
The 18-year-old scored his first senior goal in spectacular fashion during the Binos’ 6-0 rout of Bo’ness Athletic in the Scottish Cup, netting with a rising shot from all of 30 yards.
Weir is one of a gaggle of players from the Binos’ development squad given significant game time in the early part of the season, with the full-back already having racked up 13 appearances in all competitions.
But the teen has set lofty goals for himself and is hoping to cement his place in the Stirling squad.
Weir said: “I just saw the space to drive into, put the ball at my feet and decided to have a shot and it just flew in. It was a brilliant feeling when it went in, I looked straight up at my dad and papa in the stand and gave them a wee wave which was nice.
“It’s been good to get the game time this season, there are more demands on you as a player and as a person as well.
“The gaffer has been really good with me and with the other young players as well, giving us opportunities and helping us to develop.
“He’s great to work with, brilliant from a personal point of view, every single time after a game he tells you what you’ve done well and what you could do better for the next game, he always put demands on you on the pitch, during training and even off the pitch as well.
“It’s all about being professional and getting to that level. At the start of the season, I set myself the goal of breaking into the team for maybe five or 10 games and obviously I’ve surpassed that so the goal is to establish myself in the squad, keep working hard and get as many appearances as I can.”
Weir’s display was part of an all-round confident display from Albion as they made it four wins on the spin ahead of a visit to New Bayview for a clash with League Two leaders East Fife.
Dick Campbell’s side have been the pick of the division so far, but fell to a disappointing cup defeat at home to Banks o’Dee last weekend.
The sides’ previous encounter was a bruising one for the Binos, with the Fifers romping to a 4-0 at Forthbank courtesy a star turn from Nathan Austin, who netted a hat-trick, along with a strike from Reis Peggie.
A win in Methil would drag the Binos within a point of their hosts as they embark on a tough run of fixtures against some of the league’s well-fancied sides.