PARS new boy Fraser Aird has set his sights on doing what their bitter rivals couldn't this season - escape from the Championship.

And the 22-year-old is hopeful that crossing the Kincardine Bridge and hooking up with some familiar faces can help him rediscover the form that helped him reach a major international tournament.

The former Rangers player put pen to paper on a one-year deal - with the option of a further year's extension - last Thursday after impressing Allan Johnston during a brief training spell.

Having joined at the age of 16, Aird left the Glasgow club in January and signed a six-month deal with Falkirk and was part of the Bairns squad that was beaten in the Premiership play-off semi-final by Dundee United.

He then flew to play for Canada in the Gold Cup, where he played in a 1-1 draw against Costa Rica as the Canucks qualified from their group before losing to eventual finalists Jamaica in the last eight.

That game took place on July 20 so it left Aird with little time to find a club, but he was delighted to join up at East End.

"After leaving Falkirk in the summer, it was a bit difficult because I was away with the national team at the Gold Cup," he said.

"I was away for three and a half weeks with them so I didn’t get back to Scotland until about a week and a half ago, and then I was just trying to get everything sorted. The manager was keen to speak to me and it all came together and we got it sorted.

"It was a great experience for me. I'm just 22 and only recently been involved with the national team and it's something I'll remember for the rest of my life, my first Gold Cup.

"I was away so if anyone wanted to have a look at me they couldn't, but obviously getting the chance to represent my country at a major tournament, I was never going to say no.

"But once it finished I had to get my head down and try to sort out my club career, and I'm delighted to get things over the line with Dunfermline.

"I only signed a six-month contract with Falkirk when I left Rangers. I just wanted to get out and get games.

"I just wanted a change of scenery and see what was out there and I ended up here.

"I enjoyed my time there; the coaching staff and all the boys were good. We fell a bit short in the play-offs but hopefully I can go one better this season and get promoted.

"This is a fresh start, joining a club at the start of the season, which is good, and hopefully I can get back to playing the way I can.

"I got a little bit of a taste of the rivalry towards the end of last season when we played here with Falkirk.

"It got quite heated, but I'm sure there will be no hard feelings. This is the club I play for now and hopefully I can go and do as well as I can for Dunfermline."

Aird's time with Falkirk was also tinged with personal tragedy off the pitch when he lost his dad, Bill, in January and dedicated scoring against Scotland for Canada in March to him.

But now he's looking to the future as a Pars player, and continued: "It's a league where I think Dunfermline think they should be pushing on for promotion and that's why we're all here. Hopefully we have enough depth in the squad to go on and do that.

"I played with Nicky Clark and Dean Shiels in my time at Rangers, and I know Sandy, being Nicky's dad.

"I've also played against a few of the boys before so hopefully I can get to know them a bit better in the next few days.

"I spoke to Nicky about coming here and he was excited about me having the chance to come here. Obviously it makes it easier if you know a few boys going into a new dressing room.

"I've told the manager I want to score double digits this season. That's one of my personal goals but I just want to help the team out as much as I can.

"The boys have started off flying and it gets us even more excited for the game at the weekend against Livingston.

"Hopefully we can take care of that and get us kick-started in the league."

Johnston added: "I’m happy to get Airdy on board. He gives us something different, he’s got genuine pace. He’s a good addition to the squad.

"He gives us flexibility. He can play left, right, as a full-back or a wing-back; there’s loads os positions he can play.

"He’ll settle in well, he’s a good lad. It’s up to him now to try to push other boys and get into the team.

"What I liked was he was prepared to come in and train for a couple of days ad play in a bounce game. He had that confidence to come in and say ‘I’m good enough, I’ll show you’."