Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Levein opens up on Campbell link
CRAIG Levein has revealed the first time he met good friend Dick Campbell as he prepared to welcome the Arbroath boss to Glebe Park this weekend.
Brechin City will host the Lichties at the 2pm kick-off for the first pre-season friendly of the summer.
The pair will host a special pre-match hospitality function in the town before playing out a unique penalty shoot-out at half time.
Levein said their relationship goes back decades to when he was just a youngster with Cowdenbeath in the early 1980s.
“Arbroath had an absolutely fantastic season last season and I’m sure Dick will look upon that as one to improve on,” Levein said.
“I get on really well with Dick, he’s a good friend of mine and it will be good to see him.
“Believe
it or not, Dick coached at Cowdenbeath for a few weeks back in the early 1980s, that would have been my first experience of him.
“That’s how long I’ve known him but our paths have crossed various times.
“I did one of my coaching licences down at Largs and he was my tutor at the time.”
Meanwhile, Levein says today’s clash will be a good opportunity for fans to see their new-look Brechin side in action for the first time.
The club have made five new additions to the squad as they look to win the Highland League title at the second time of asking.
One signing who definitely won’t make it is Nathan Cooney. The former Dundee United kid will sit the game out as he recovers from injury.
“We’ve got a couple of boys on holiday and we have Nathan Cooney coming back from a broken bone in his foot,” Levein said.
“If there are any others who have any niggles or problems, I don’t think we will be risking them for Saturday.
“The first game is always like a step into the unknown, so we will see what happens.”
Fans are reminded that the games kick off at 2pm and cash-only cash turnstiles are in operation.