HIGHLY-RATED frontman Mark Shankland says it’s a dream come true every time he gets to pull on the famous black and yellow strips of Auchinleck Talbot.

The former Ayr United youngster grew up watching his father play for the Beechwood Park side and now he’s followed in his old man’s footstep.

Shankland said: “Auchinleck Talbot has been a huge part of my life ever since I was a wee boy, I grew up watching them week in week out as my dad played for them.

“Even when my dad left the club, I still continued to go to the games as I had become so attached to the club.

“I love this club and to get that chance to play for them is such an honour, it’s hard to put into words what type of feeling I get when I put on a Talbot shirt.

“It’s a dream come true to play for them, I know that’s a clique, but I truly mean it, I’m living the dream playing here.”

The 21-year-old striker arrived at Beechwood Park in October 2014 after parting company with Ayr United at the end of the 2013/14 season.

Shankland insists he didn’t let his heart rule his head and says he made the move to Talbot for the good of his career.

He said: “When I had the opportunity to join Auchinleck I jumped at the chance, it was one of the easiest decisions I’ve ever had to make.

“I decided to make the move here not just because I love the club, of course, that was a big reason behind my decision but I also did it for the good of my career.

“At the time the offer came in I wasn’t playing much football, I had just left Ayr due to a lack of game time and I was eager to get back to playing regularly.

“So to have the chance to play week in week out for Auchinleck was the perfect move for me to make.”

Since joining the Bot in 2014 Shankland has played a major part in helping the club add more silverware to its trophy cabinet.

To date the young striker has won two league titles with his boyhood club as well as a Scottish Junior Cup.

Shankland revealed that he’s agreed to stay with Talbot for the foreseeable future and makes it clear he’s got his sights set on winning more trophies with the Beechwood Park side.

He said: “Since I arrived, I’ve been lucky enough to win a number of trophies with Talbot and I want to do my bit to make sure that continues.

“In my first season here we won it all including the Junior Cup which was an amazing experience and of course this year we completed a league and cup double which was just brilliant.

“Auchinleck is known for winning trophies and everyone involved with this club wants to keep it that way, and that includes me.

He added: “I’ve decided to sign on for another season so I can help the club win more trophies, we want to win everything this year.

“At Auchinleck there is no room for error when it comes to winning trophies and all the boys know this so I’m confident we will be adding more silverware to our trophy cabinet this year.”