Aron Lynas admits it will feel “strange” when he returns to Cliftonhill this summer and enters the away dressing room – after calling time on his three year stint at Albion Rovers.
The 26-year-old joined League Two rivals Dumbarton on a one-year deal at the weekend and the former Rovers captain will now be out to help Sons claim the title at his former employer’s expense.
Dumbarton were relegated from League One at the end of last season and will be among the favourites for automatic promotion, as they bid to bounce straight back.
It was a wrench for Lynas to end his stay in Coatbridge but he felt the time was right for a fresh challenge.
He said: “It was a very tough decision to leave Albion. I really enjoyed my time there. I played with some great players, loved working with the management, loved the fans and everyone involved with the club.
“It’s a great club and you are well looked after. Being captain of the club was a great privilege so it was tough to leave, but I felt the time was right to move on.
“I was offered a new deal, but I put a lot of thought into it and decided the time is now for a new challenge. I felt last season at Albion, we underachieved with the squad we had. We should have been in the play-offs minimum in my opinion.
“I’ve had many ups-and-downs at the club, but just playing for them and captaining them is a real honour for me.
“It’s sad to let that go because it was great for me personally, but it’s time for a new chapter in my career.
“It’s going to feel a bit strange walking into the away changing room next time I’m there, that’s for sure.
“I look forward to going back there to play, but I’m delighted to be at Dumbarton and playing for them now.”
Lynas will provide new boss Stevie Farrell with options as the defender can also be deployed in midfield.
And he hopes to play his part in getting the Sons back into the third tier.
He added: “Dumbarton have been relegated but we will be strong contenders to go back up so I’m looking forward to that challenge and, hopefully, we can do that next season.
”I spoke to Stevie and he sold the club to me with his ambitions for them and what he sees me doing there, so it was a move I felt was the right one at the right time.”
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