CLYDEBANK continue their pre-season preparations with another friendly later this month, as they welcome Scottish Premiership side Hamilton Accies to Holm Park.

And for one player in particular, the occasion will be more than just a chance to get in shape for the coming season.

Former Bankies striker Darian MacKinnon will return to the ground where it all started four years ago, but this time as a visiting player.

And he’s admitted to SportScene he is desperate to grace the Holm Park surface once again and play in-front of the Clydebank fans.

He exclusively told SportScene: “Hopefully I’m in the squad for the match, I’m not quite sure what the gaffer is going to do.

“But regardless, hopefully I’ll get a run out to say thank you to the fans and say a proper goodbye to those who have supported me and helped me get to where I am now.” Scoring 31 goals in 69 appearances, MacKinnon lit up the juniors, receiving plaudits from many clubs before his move to the Accies.

And the 28-year-old says Bankies boss Budgie McGhie is the reason he’s made a successful transition to Scotland’s top-flight, so much so, he’s still trying to help out his former side off the field whenever he can.

MacKinnon added: “The way Budgie has got the team playing football is what sets him apart and has helped me adapt to life at the Accies.

“Everything at the club is geared to play football so when you progress up the levels that’s what it’s all about, keeping the ball and not playing route one.  “Budgie has also always encouraged us to do the right things off the park and on the park, and if a club comes in for you, he encourages you and never holds you back.

“That says all you need to know about the guy and I owe a lot to him and the club.

“I’m still in regular contact with Budgie, and if I see any players that could be of use to the club, I’ll give him a phone and help get them in on trial.  “I still come to as many games as I can, now I’m playing again I can’t make as many as I want, but anytime I’ve got time to come and watch I’m always there.” Since leaving Clydebank, the club have continued to lift silverware, despite many expecting them to struggle.  And as Ross McPherson and Vinny Berry joined the list of players to graduated from the Bankies to the professional game last month, MacKinnon believes many more can follow, and insists it’s not a bad thing for the club.

He said: “It was great to hear that Vinny and Ross got deals with Queens Park and I’m confident they’ll do well in their new challenge.

“What I would say to them is, they just need to work hard.  “From my own experience, when you sign it doesn’t just come to you straight away.” “When I first joined Hamilton, although I wasn’t unfit because I looked after myself, it was more the pace of the game I wasn’t used to.  “So when Mark Roberts, the Ayr United manager, phoned me up, I jumped at the chance.  “I played seven or eight games down there and although it isn’t the same standard as the First Division, it got me used to the pace of the game.

“After my loan spell I came back and played a game against Dumbarton and from then on I haven’t really looked back.” He added: “Looking ahead, Budgie has always helped players develop and move onto the professional leagues if there’s interest.  “He never holds players back, and year-after-year, he replaces them and ensures the Bankies continue moving forward.

“And there is no doubt in my mind, a manager of his quality will do that again this season coming.

“You can tell from the signings he’s already made they’re good enough to help the club continue moving in the right direction and do well.

“Looking at someone like Jordan Shelvey, if he scores loads for Clydebank somebody will take a chance on him.  “My advice to him and other youngsters is, if you think you have a chance, just keep plugging away.  “You’re going to have bad times, for example it took me until I was 25 to get picked up.  “Take the praise when it’s coming, but don’t get carried away with yourself, same goes for when you’re not playing well, don’t get too disheartened with criticism because it all evens over for the course of the season.” Clydebank host Hamilton Accies on Monday, July 28, with kick-off at 7pm.