Bairns cooking with Gas as Falkirk land Luca

Canadian under-23 international Luca Gasparotto put pen to paper yesterday (Wednesday) and will join his new team-mates for the first day of pre-season training today.

The Bairns were one of a number of clubs interested in taking the highly-rated defender on after his release from Rangers, but Gasparotto said it was an “easy decision” to fly in to Falkirk.

He told The Falkirk herald: “I played against Falkirk twice last year. I knew they’re a big club who play good football and that was something that appealed. I like the way the manager plays and he spoke to me several times, and I think I’ll fit in well with the team here.

“I had a few offers but the style of play jumped out at me. The manager is a great manager and the team seems a great bunch of boys so it seems a great fit.

“The manager told me about the togetherness at the club and my friend Ryan Sinnamon who I know from Rangers told me the boys and the team are different class – that made the decision an easy one.”

Gasparotto was coached by his dad Dario in his formative football years with Ajax in Canada before progressing to the national squads and being picked up by Rangers. While contracted at Ibrox he was loaned to Stirling, Airdrie, then Morton last season but knocked back a permanent return to Cappielow.

The 21-year-old added: “I want to develop as a player. It’s ok being sent on loan every year but I want a permanent home for a few years. Coming from Canada was a great experience coming over here, and joining a club like Rangers, and being there for five years. It was a great environment. I need to develop and further my career and that’s what I’m looking to do.

“I definitely benefitted from the loans. I got used to first team football at Airdrie and it helped play a level up in a competitive Championship at Morton. I think this year will be an even higher level again.

“Jet lag doesn’t bother me, I’ve been back here two days and am over it already.”