Thursday 25th June 2015
ONE-time Scottish Cup winner and Scotland internationalist Darren Barr is delighted that Dumbarton manager Stephen Aitken has taken a chance on him after an injury hit two year period.
The 30 year old, who scored for Hearts when they defeated Hibs 5-1 at Hampden in 2012, and played once for the national side in 2008, has joined the Sons after injury hit spells at Kilmarnock and Ross County.
Barr said: “I had a good number of seasons behind me before being injured so the last two years have been frustrating.
“It can be hard to get a club when people view you as always being injured.
“The manager here has taken a chance on me and I want to repay that.
“Scoring in the Scottish Cup Final seems a long time ago.
“It feels even longer when you are not playing and you think back about days like that.
“Memories like that one make me really want to get going at Dumbarton.
“I am not the type of person who likes to sit things out. I want to be involved and I will do that here.
“The manager really sold me on his plans for this season so I am delighted to have joined.”
Barr was one of nine new signings that put in a gruelling first day of pre-season on Sunday at the Erskine Sports Centre and he showed no signs of flagging despite a testing schedule.
Barr said: “I have a few serious injuries but they have all been fixed.
“Coming here part-time is a good way to ease myself back in so it really was a no-brainer to join.
“It is always good to get your preparations for a new season underway. It was a tough shift and there will be a few more days like that before we start playing.”
Barr has not joined the Sons to be a bit part player winding down his career as he explained: “First and foremost I want to prove that I can still play.
“The Championship looks like it will be a great league this season and I want to be heavily involved in it.”
“There is a good mix of youth and experience here and if I can help some of the youngsters by passing on my experience that will be great.
“However I am here to play.”
Craig P Stewart