Aaron Norris wants to take more of a leading role in Peterhead’s season as they get their Betfred Cup campaign under way.
The former Aberdeen youngster joined the Blue Toon in October last year and was part of the side that fell agonisingly short of promotion back to League 1.
Manager Jim McInally has strengthened the squad this summer with today’s game at Brechin City the first competitive test for Peterhead in the 2018-19 campaign.
Norris sees no reason why they cannot cause an upset or two in the Betfred Cup – much like their win over Hearts last year – and hopes he can feature more regularly in the quest for the league title.
He said: “Getting more game time and winning the league have to be the main targets.
“To put my name out there as a regular starter would be a good target and with my fitness levels as good as they have ever been, I feel I can do that.
“We’re good enough to go for a run in anything, be that the league or the cup. With the way the season went last year, we were very unlucky not to get promoted. It hurt – everyone saw the last few games where we won everything. We couldn’t do much more. But we’ve got a few new signings in, everyone looks fit and pre-season has gone well.
“There are teams in our group at a higher level but if we give it all we’ve got and play at a high intensity, we’ve got every chance of getting through.”
The Blue Toon play their first game at Glebe Park this afternoon before travelling to Dunfermline on Tuesday night.
The East End Park side beat them 5-1 in the group stage last year but Peterhead still finished second in the group with nine points, which was not enough to go through. Their final two games are at home to Stirling Albion and Dundee.
After nearly a full season playing for his hometown club, Norris feels he has adapted well to part-time football after leaving the Dons last year.
Norris added: “I wanted to make a name for myself playing for my local side.
“I’ve had to get myself a job and working alongside football is a bit different. But I wouldn’t say the standard is too different – they are still good players to play with. I want to do well for myself and I would like to stay with Peterhead as long as I can.”