The only way is up for Falkirk's Robbie Leitch

The former Motherwell player, transferred from Fir Park to English Premiership team Burnley in July 2016 but released the year after, wants to take his career upwards again after spells at St Mirren, Queen’s Park on loan and Croatian outfit NK Novigrad.

“It was obviously a great opportunity for me to go down to Burnley,” said Leitch, 22, with Falkirk since July 2019 but loaned out to Forfar Athletic last term.

"There were lots of big players and stuff, but it was obviously going to be hard to try and get into the first team there.

"It didn’t work out, and I had to come back to Scotland and signed with St Mirren.

"I spent the last six months of that season there and it was good for me.

"I ended up coming to Falkirk last season and I’ve just loved it since I’ve been here.

"This year 100% we are targeting promotion. The two gaffers have got it moulded into us that we’re here to win the league and that’s it.

"That’s the be-all and end-all. That’s what we need to do.”

Leitch and Falkirk’s other forwards have been getting invaluable advice from player and co-manager Lee Miller, a striker currently in his third playing spell at the Bairns, having also turned out for clubs including Bristol City, Hearts, Dundee United, Aberdeen and Middlesbrough and winning three Scotland caps.

The 37-year-old has no doubts about Leitch’s qualities, stating: “Robbie is a player that’s really thriving on confidence just now.

“He gets in great wee pockets, great wee areas, his link-up play is very good and he can score a goal into the bargain.

"That’s great for an attacking midfielder. He’s doing all the right things.

"He’s improving every week. I think the training and intensity levels have been really good, as they have for all the players.

Miller said that Leitch’s team-mates are reaping the benefits of playing alongside such a good-quality footballer.

He added: “We’ve got real quality strikers up there in Robbie and Akeel Francis, and Conor Sammon is doing really well, and we’ve got Aidan Keena coming back into the mix and Anton Dowds.

"They are all thriving with getting this extra bit of training as well and it’s full-time training.

"They are picking my brain all the time, which is great.

"I’m kind of passing on some information over the years I’ve picked up.

"The boys keep taking things on, and we’re giving them information every day.

"If they keep taking that into the games, we’re all about train the way you play.

"It’s as simple as that. Take it into a Saturday and everything’s good.”