Andy McFarlane has made quite an impact since signing for Arthurlie from Larkhall in the summer, making his presence felt on the pitch and on the internet forums where he's not afraid to get in there and talk to the fans.

The big question for Andy is, why leave Larkhall after so many seasons at the club? In a statement that would seem to confound the rumours of dressing room unrest at Gasworks Park having led to the downfall of Gary Faulds last September, it was the appointment of his former mentors as the management team that swung the pendulum firmly towards Dunterlie. Andy takes over the story 'Gary and Stevie first introduced me to Junior football when they were at Kilwinning Rangers and they helped me get my confidence back after having a bad time at Accies. Gary also took me to Larkhall so I feel as though I owe him a lot. He has always been fantastic with myself and my older brother Davie so I would never have any hesitation in signing for him'

Andy leads the conversation straight into other crucial factors in his footballing career. Until now, he has been used to playing in the same team as his brother, who was also heavily linked with the move to Barrhead in the summer. Instead Davie has opted out of football for a while to concentrate on his work and it's a touch strange for the two brothers not to be lining up together on the pitch. 'We are very close off the pitch, we both work together and have the same circle of friens so we see each other almost every day'. For those of you wondering if he will return to the game (and back to the same team as his sibling no doubt) I'm sure he will be back playing soon, I hope so anyway 'cos he is too good just to give up altogether'.

So, having signed for a squad that was being built from scratch in Barrhead, how is Andy settling into his new surroundings? 'To be absolutely honest with you, I'm loving it. I was very nervous before I came down as I had spent three and a half yearts at Larkhall and the whole prospect of meeting a new committee and a whole new squad of players made me a bit apprehensive [but] all those nerves have gone now. The squad of players we have here is second to none...I'm actually amazed at how well all the guys have bonded'

Going back to touch on his previous experiences with the manager, I asked Andy what life was like working under Gary Faulds, you can hear the high esteem in his voice as Andy replies 'You never know what you're going to get with Gary in ways of a team talk! I have walked out onto a pitch in fits of laughter at some of the stuff he comes away with. Gary is good at getting the best out of players who are willing to listen and learn. Both he and Stevie are good man managers'

When Andy made his debut for Arthurlie in the first pre season fixture at Largs he did so alongside two of his former Gasworks team mates, Craig Ferguson and Alan McFadden, I ask him what he thinks of the decision to bring them over to Dunterlie. 'Wee Faddy up front will run non stop for ninety minutes, has some great touches and is a twenty plus goal a season striker...I have plated with Craig at both Cambuslang and Larhall, he would walk into most junior teams'

On that debut day, both he and McFadden hit their first goals in sky blue and white, how did that equalising goal feel? '[I was] shocked! Only for the reason that I don't normally score with my head! In all honesty though, it felt great to mark my debut with a goal. I have set myself a standard now that I have to maintain, it certainly helped me relax a bit more getting the first, of hopefully many, goals out the way'

Having already spoken about those new signings he has played alongside before, what does he make of the rest of the squad, the predictable answer coming first before Andy elaborates with his personal opinion. 'Every one of the lads are great, there's some great banter going on at training...Having played against big Fabi before I know we have a rock in the centre of defence. Smudger in the midfield has a great engine, Joe Andrew has already shown in games to have a fantastic first touch and looks to be a smashing signing, as does John Bradford, I could honestly go on all day about the others!'

Most Arthurlie fans are praying for a cup draw against Beith so we can face off against our former team and management, but equally plausible is the chance of drawing Larkhall, how would it feel to play at Gasworks in the visiting team? ' I have already said to a few of the guys I would love to draw them, I've got a lot of friends at the club. But that was then and this is now and I would love to dump my old team out the cup, just for the bragging rights alone!'

The final words we have are on Andy's playing career to date, as I ask him what the highlight was so far. 'Probably being at Hamilton when we won the 3rd Division, [that] was a great day. Watching my brother score three that day to clinch it was a bit special'.

Opposing defenders had better watch out, for Andy has played against the best of them in his time as a footballer, and when they are heading into tackle him they might want to remember who he classes as his toughest opponent so far 'Marvin Andrews...I can't think of many more who would be as tough as him'