John Baird has insisted he harbours no bitterness to Raith Rovers for blocking a move to the SPL on transfer deadline day.
A top flight club believed to be Fife rivals Dunfermline came in for last season’s first division player of the year with several offers, including one of cash plus a player, on the day the summer transfer window shut.
Baird has never hidden his desire to play at the highest level, but fully accepts Raith’s right to keep him at Stark’s Park.
He said: “I was kept in the picture with what was going on so I knew about the bids. But it was out of my control. I’m still here. Nothing’s changed and I’ll be getting my head down, working hard and we’ll see what the future brings.
“I would be lying if I said it didn’t affect me in the last couple of days before the window shut. The international break helped me get my head round it.
“It’s disappointing not to get the opportunity to play at a higher level but I signed a contract, the club didn’t accept what they were offered, and there’s nothing I can do about that.
“It’s hard times and I’ll have to try and play well to win myself another deal here or at another club, because just about everybody in our dressing room is out of contract in the summer.
“I would be cheating myself, my team-mates and the club if I let it affect me. It’s gone now, and I’m not even thinking about it anymore.”