New Barnet goalkeeper Craig Ross says he is full of ambition after joining the Bees this week - and has been impressed by the club’s plans for the future.

The 27-year-old custodian began his career with Reading, before moving to Crystal Palace as a youngster, but could not force his way into the first-team at either club.

Instead, Ross has forged a successful career in non-league, starting half of Macclesfield’s games in the National League last season as they finished ninth in the fifth tier.

The Silkmen only conceded one more goal than third-placed Forest Green during that campaign, with the New Lawn side eventually promoted to League Two after winning the play-off final - a move mirrored by Ross himself, having become Barnet’s first signing of the summer on Saturday.

“I’ve been waiting for that chance to get into the league,” he told the club website. “Now I’ve got to make sure I take it when it comes. I can’t wait to get started.

“As a goalkeeper, you’re either playing or you’re not - so it’s a tough position to be in at times. But you’ve always got to back yourself and your ability to play.

“The gaffer’s said to me that it’s all about competition for places, and it’s good to have that.

“I’ve never really sat on a bench for long; I’m looking to put my own stamp down now.”

Ross will provide some rare permanent cover for Bees number one Jamie Stephens, with loanees Josh Vickers, Harry Burgoyne and Benjamin Buchel his only real challengers last season.

Promotion can be a word thrown around too easily but it is one new head coach Rossi Eames has not shied away from since his appointment as head coach at the start of the summer.

And such talk has left Ross impressed with the intention of his new club, ahead of a season opener at Forest Green on August 5.

He said: “Speaking with the gaffer and the chairman, I could see their ambition matches mine. The aim of the club is to get promotion and I don’t see any reason why we can’t achieve it.

“All it takes is one good season to get yourself up. A close-knit group and a good spirit also helps and, if we have that, I think we can definitely be up there challenging.”

The Bees get their pre-season underway at Maidstone United on Saturday.