Barr is leaving Falkirk after 10 years with the club

Departing Falkirk skipper Darren Barr is sure his team-mates can make a quick return to the Scottish Premier League.

The 25-year-old will be playing for Hearts next season, having spent his entire career with the Bairns.

"I've no doubt the lads will kick on and get back up, definitely," the defender told the club website.

"I was desperate to leave on a better note and it's been hard to accept that those were my last few days as a Falkirk player."

The Bairns needed to win at Kilmarnock on the final day of the season to stay up but were held to a tense 0-0 draw at Rugby Park.

"You just build up a great attachment to the club after so many great years and it's been one amazing journey over the last 10 years," added Barr, who has been capped once for Scotland.

"This has been my club and it will always be close to me.

"Obviously, the hurt's still raw from Saturday, but there have been so many highlights for me.

MY SPORT: DEBATE Are Falkirk fans confident of a swift return to the SPL?

"This was the club that gave me my chance at being a footballer in the first place, allowed me to play alongside quality players like Russell Latapy, play in Europe and win a Scotland cap.

"There was the Scottish Cup run and, until the last two years, there have been some great league campaigns.

"On the flip side, doing my cruciate ligaments in my first year as a full-time player at the club at 17 was hard to take. I had 12 months then to prove myself and to win another professional contract.

"Basically, what I'm trying to say is that I'm really grateful for everything Falkirk have done for me and the support I've had over the years."

Manager Steven Pressley has indicated that he wants to remain in charge but several players will be out of contract in the summer and the squad will be reshaped for life in Division One.

"This isn't how I wanted to leave things," added Barr. "It's hard to take and it's even harder to talk about it.

"It's important the club bounces back as quickly as possible.

"No-one wants to be in Division One instead of the SPL, but some good can come of it.

"Hibs seemed to come out of a season at that level in better shape and Inverness Caley Thistle have re-emerged stronger this year.

"We've got great staff that work really hard behind the scenes and there's the nucleus of a good young team."

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