BY IAIN COLLIN – @CCP_sport
John Baird has revealed that seeing manager Peter Houston agree a new deal at Falkirk convinced him to follow suit in putting pen to paper.
Now, the club’s top scorer is determined to ensure the pair team up to take the Bairns back to the top-flight.
Baird was due another contract after playing enough games to trigger a clash in his previous agreement.
However, during discussions over the fresh terms, the 30-year-old admits he was eager to discover what Houston’s long-term plans were as his boss approached the final months of his own deal.
With the former Scotland assistant opting to sign on for another two years, Baird was convinced to agree a 12-month extension.
And, now that the issue has been put to bed for both, the former Raith Rovers, Partick Thistle and Dundee marksman, who joined on an 18-month deal from Queen of the South last January, is desperate to help return the Bairns to the Premiership they last graced in 2010.
He said: “It’s been on-going for the last two or three weeks so it’s good to get it sorted.
“There was a clause in my previous deal that meant the club had to offer me one, but there was still stuff to be done.
“But that all got sorted out and I’m delighted to sign the new deal.
“One of the things I was waiting on was seeing what position the manager was in.
“He’s a big part of me being here – I don’t know if it’s a good thing or not but he doesn’t stay far from me!
“But I do get on with the gaffer. He’s just an honest guy and that’s all I ask for, and I’ll be the same back.
Really happy
“I’ve been really happy here in the last year and I don’t see it changing in the next year. This is one of the better clubs in the country, I think.
“I don’t see why we can’t get promoted – the club is going to go to the Premiership, sooner or later.
“I just want to be here when they do it. I’ve now got 18 months left on my contract and hopefully it’s in that period.”
Whilst Baird’s future is now secure there remain question marks over the likes of Luke Leahy and Will Vaulks in the current transfer window following speculation crediting clubs with interest in the pair.
Leahy has been linked with a return south of the border and Vaulks has seen his name associated with Sporting Lisbon, as well as Celtic and Rangers.
From Falkirk’s point of view, Baird is desperate to see his team-mates stay and so far no contact has been made with the Bairns from potential suitors.
However, Baird insists he would be thrilled for his colleagues if they were to earn lucrative moves.
He added: “I like to see players, if they’re moving on, better themselves and go on to better things. I wouldn’t grudge them that to be selfish from the team’s point of view.
“If it happens then so be it and the club will move on. It’s happened before, just about every window for years there’s been boys leaving this club.
“If they stay then excellent, but if they move on then all the best and I’m sure there will be someone else to come in and take their place.”
