Ballantyne is eyeing unique medal double

UP until last weekend, Cammy Ballantyne was focusing on winning promotion from League Two with Montrose.

Now the goal of moving up a league is the same — it’s just the team that’s different and the prize that’s even bigger.

And if the Dundee United kid hits his target, he could be finishing this term with what might just be a unique medal double.

For the second year running, the start of this season saw the 20-year-old loaned out to Montrose to get first-team football.

That led to him playing a big part as, under Stewart Petrie, the perennial strugglers have stormed to the top of their division.

And l ess than a week ago he thought he’d be seeing out the campaign at Links Park.

As United’s injuries mounted, however, gaffer Csaba Laszlo felt the need for more depth to his squad at Tannadice made recalling the full-back a no-brainer.

That meant in mid-stream preparations for a home clash with Cowdenbeath became getting ready to face Brechin at Tannadice on Tuesday.

And once the paperwork to get him back as a tangerine was rushed through, Ballantyne was not only named on the United bench but came on for the entire second half after injury forced Mark Durnan off.

“I only found out on the 31st that I was coming back. We were at training and that’s when the manager told me I’d better come back because of the injuries and stuff,” he said.

“Until then I thought I was going to be playing for Montrose on Tuesday but on Monday they got the paperwork done so I could be available for the Brechin game.

“And it was great to get on for the second half. The manager has told me I won’t necessarily be playing every week but, because of the injuries, I’ll be involved and get a chance to play.

“It was unfortunate for Mark he took a kick but, for me, it was great to be involved straight away.

“Now I’m hoping I am going to get