FORMER Kelty Hearts star Dylan Easton has backed his former club to do a "right good job" in League One this season.

And the midfield ace is hopeful of being able to cheer on his close pal, Joe Cardle, and his old team-mates whenever he can as they get set for another historic campaign.

Easton, who spent two years at New Central Park, returned to his old stomping ground with his new club, Raith Rovers, when they provided the opposition for Kelty's final pre-season friendly earlier this month.

The 28-year-old, a product of the prestigious Hutchison Vale Boys Club, began his career in the senior game as a youth player at Livingston, before spells with Berwick Rangers, St Johnstone, Elgin City, Clyde, and Forfar Athletic, as well as loans with Arbroath and Dumbarton.

Alongside Thomas Reilly, Easton made the eye-catching decision to leave the Loons, who had finished second in League One, and lost in the Championship play-off semi-finals, ironically, to Raith, and drop to the Lowland League with Kelty.

Under the guidance of then manager, Barry Ferguson, the 'Maroon Machine' were declared Lowland League champions after football was curtailed in 2020 due to coronavirus, on a points-per-game basis, which was also the case the following season.

Unlike his first campaign at the club, Easton and his team-mates were then given the chance to win promotion in the pyramid play-offs, and he scored in both legs of the semi-final win over Brora Rangers.

He then started both legs of the final, where Kelty defeated Brechin City to reach the SPFL for the first time, before leaving for League One side Airdrieonians.

His switch to the Diamonds proved to be a good one for Easton, who coaches with Cardle's football academy in Dunfermline, as he was named PFA Scotland's League One Player of the Year after eight goals and 12 assists in helping them reach the Championship play-off final, which they lost to Queen's Park.

Following John McGlynn's departure, Raith appointed Easton's boss at Airdrie, Ian Murray, in his place, and he snapped up the in-demand playmaker on a two-year deal.

Speaking to Press Sport after his New Central Park return, Easton is confident Kelty have what it takes to be a success in the division he has just departed, and believes they have helped move his own career on an upward trajectory.

"It was a hard decision at the time but everything seems to be going in the right direction," he said of his move to Kelty.

"Long may it continue, and hopefully we can have a successful season with Raith.

"They (Kelty) are doing really well. I think the last couple of seasons have shown that; ever since they got into the leagues, they're just improving and improving.

"They're a team going in the right direction and I think, with the players and the quality of players that they've got, I think they'll do a right good job in League One.

"It's going to be tough. I've played in it, and there's a lot of improvement with the teams that have come into it, so obviously I wish them all the best."

When asked if still keeps an eye on their progress, Easton replied: "Of course I do.

"All the teams I play for, I like to keep an eye on, and it'll be the same with Airdrie this season as well.

"I'll come to Kelty whenever I can come down, whenever we're not playing. It's local to me, so I'll come down and cheer on the lads, and cheer on Joe, hopefully when he's back scoring goals!

"It's always good to come back and see familiar faces."