Cove Rangers midfielder Stuart Duff believes there is no difference between the Highland League and Scottish football’s third and fourth tiers.
The former Dundee United, Aberdeen and Caley Thistle player pledged his long-term future to the Allan Park side by signing a two-and-a-half year deal, despite interest from League 2 Montrose.
And Duff reckons there is little difference between the standards and said Cove’s move to a new stadium was one of the major reasons behind his decision to stay at the Highland League club.
Cove received planning permission for a new stadium at Bobby Calder Park in November, although they will have to groundshare until their new home is built.
He said: “I don’t think there is much difference in the standard of play in the Highland League as opposed to the Scottish Leagues 1 and 2.
“Brora Rangers showed that by giving Queen of the South, a Championship side, a run for their money at Palmerston in the Scottish Cup earlier this season.
“These are very exciting times for Cove with the new ground and I would like to be a part of that.
“When I spoke to both John Sheran, our manager, and our chairman Keith Moorhouse, they were both quite keen to keep me here.
“I am delighted to sign the new deal.
“When I came to Cove in October I was just looking to retain my match sharpness, but they are a great bunch and I have enjoyed the whole set up.
“Cove were keen to keep me here, and now that I am also working in Aberdeen I wanted to base myself here so I am really looking forward to the next chapter playing for Cove Rangers in the Highland League.”
Duff feels confident he can help Cove win some silverware next season.
He added: “With the squad we have and probably with a few more additions I think we could well be challenging for things next season.
“I have been pleasantly surprised by the standard of play and when I play against other Highland League teams there tends to be two or three opposition players I know from the higher leagues.”
The 32-year-old made more than 170 appearances for Dundee United before heading to his hometown team Aberdeen in 2008.
He was at Pittodrie for 18 months before joining Caley Thistle.
Duff then left Scottish football for Malta before he became the first British player to play football in Kazakhstan when he joined FC Kairat in 2012.
His contract there was ended last autumn due to Kazakhstan Premier League rules that decreed any foreign players over 30 had to be internationals, so Duff joined Cove last October on a short-term contract until Christmas.