Previews of tonight’s Betfred Cup action

Arbroath boss Campbell ready to ring the changes as side faces ‘real test’

Arbroath boss Dick Campbell has made no secret of his opposition to the early start to competitive action in the Betfred Cup.

Despite that, he will be sending his team out to “have a real go” against Premiership outfit Hibs at Easter Road tonight.

Campbell rotated his squad for the game against Angus rivals Montrose on Saturday with the likes of Bobby Linn, Danny Denholm and Steven Doris starting on the bench.

However, the Red Lichties still won the game 4-0 with new signing, keeper David Hutton, making an impressive debut between the sticks.

The Gayfield gaffer is now set to ring the changes again as he looks to build up his side’s fitness for their League 1 opener.

He said: “We had four lads back but they were not fit to play against Montrose on Saturday.

“So I am using the games against Hibs and Ross County purely for fitness.

“Our goalie Ricky Gomes needed six stitches and had teeth broken playing against Alloa, but I was delighted to bring a good keeper like David Hutton in and he did well on his debut against Montrose.

“We are going along nicely, so we will just keep our feet on the ground.

“We will definitely get a lot of fitness work on Tuesday at Hibs.

“It will be a real test and I will be making wholesale changes again and the same on Saturday.

“My focus is on playing Queen’s Park in the league.

“However, we will still be having a real go at Easter Road.

“We are the part-time team with nothing to lose and Neil Lennon will know that.”

Gavin Swankie will be included in the Arbroath squad after returning from honeymoon.

Pictures: Kris Miller/SNS. Lichties boss Dick Campbell is not a fan of the early start to the season but will use tonight’s game against Hibs to improve his team’s fitness. The manager praised keeper David Hutton, right, for his display against Montrose at the weekend.