The former captain of near neighbours East Stirlingshire joined the Warriors in the close season after spending three years at Firs Park.

Now he can't wait to kick on with his new career at Ochilview.

"The main reason I left Shire was to face a new challenge and I have been impressed since I arrived," he said.

"The boys speak very highly of John Coughlin and Matt Kerr, there's a fantastic atmosphere and it's a great set-up."

The Warriors paid a fee, believed to be around £6000, for the midfielder's transfer but he is not fazed.

"The transfer fee is probably more of a worry for the gaffer than it is for me," Brand went on.

"I just want to play at as high a level as I can and this club has promotion aims.

"I know Jim McInally has high hopes for the Shire and I wish them well, but I felt John Coughlin wanted me that little bit more and was prepared to pay the money.

"I only want to get a strip and the ball on a Saturday, that's what you train hard for during the week, and transfer fees do not enter your head."

Brand was used in a number of positions at Shire but will play in his favourite role for the Warriors, and hopes to score a few goals as well.

"That's where the manager wants me to play," he explained. "Just off the striker, dropping back to defend when needed and breaking to score goals.

"If that's the faith he has in me then I'm delighted to be here and will do my very best.

"I did alright playing off Joe Savage at Firs Park and the gaffer has brought in the right players here that I believe will help me to do the same at Ochilview."

Brand played in the Warriors' 1-0 friendly defeat to Raith Rovers last Saturday and will head south with the squad tomorrow (Friday) for a game against Fleetwood.

That's followed by the short trip from Blackpool to Skelmorsdale the following day where they will meet the local side before returning home on Sunday.

There will hardly be time to draw breath though. Stenhousemuir then face Airdrie on Monday night and Kilmarnock on Wednesday in a couple of attractive Ochilview friendlies which will allow fans to monitor their team's progress.

"It will take a little time for the new squad to get to know what we're all about on the park and that's why we are having these friendlies," added Brand (pictured right).

"There are also plenty of things we can take onto the training ground and improve.

"We'll be looking to do just that and I have absolutely no doubt we will be ready for the opening game of the season."

The first competitive encounter is against Albion Rovers, who visit Ochilview on Saturday, July 26, in the Challenge Cup first round.
Coughlin, meanwhile, is also looking forward to the forthcoming programme.

"The trip south will allow the players to get to know each other well," he said.

"Call it a bonding session or whatever, the matches will still be taken very seriously so we are ready for the start of the campaign.

"The Airdrie game will be competitive and Billy Brown at Kilmarnock has assured me that they will bring a strong squad.

"Kenny Black will want his Diamonds ready as will Jim Jefferies, so they should be good contests and I hope they can attract neutrals as well as our own fans to create a decent atmosphere."

The Ochilview games all have a 7.30 p.m. kick-off and entry is £5 and £3.

As Heraldsport went to press it had not been confirmed whether the match with Shire on Tuesday – due to be a Stirlingshire Cup tie until the competition was cancelled – was still going ahead as a friendly.