Campbell predicts goal-fest in return to old stomping ground

Arbroath manager Dick Campbell is predicting a high-scoring encounter at his former home of East End Park tonight – but only if his players apply themselves correctly against Dunfermline.

The Gayfield boss spent six seasons as Bert Paton’s right-hand man in the 1990s before taking charge of the Fife outfit for a season.

Campbell, whose side have enjoyed an unbeaten start to their League One campaign, explained: “We have players that can attack teams and score and Dunfermline have players that can attack teams and score.

“I watched them at Rangers and knew they would bounce back as they are so dangerous going forward.

“We let ourselves down in the 1-1 draw at Airdrie on Saturday as we never applied ourselves correctly.

“If we do not apply ourselves correctly in this one then we could get blown away.

“However, if we do then we can worry Dunfermline.”

Callum Smith, meanwhile, insists he is determined to keep taking his top-team chance after making his Pars breakthrough this season.

The 17-year-old netted his first league goal for the Pars and earned the sponsors’ man-of-thematch award for a hugely impressive display in Saturday’s 5-1 thrashing of Inverness Caley Thistle.

The lively striker has been given an opportunity by manager Allan Johnston because of an injury to Nicky Clark and Declan McManus’s suspension, and has scored twice in six appearances.

The teenager admits he is ahead of schedule in his career development but is desperate for the games to keep coming as he seeks another start against the Lichties.

He said: “I have been working hard for ages to get my chance in the team, and when it came I had to take my chance.

“I feel like I did that on Saturday. I got man of the match, got a goal and set the tone for the team.

“Everybody hopes to be ahead of schedule for my age but everybody doesn’t get the chance.

“I am getting the chance just now so I have to keep doing my best to keep in the team.

“If that doesn’t happen I just have to work harder in training to try to get back in the team again.”

Smith scored inside the first 80 seconds against Inverness at the weekend, heading on a long pass, beating keeper Mark Ridgers to the ball and slotting into the empty net after benefiting from a ricochet.

The teenager caused the Caley Thistle defence all sorts of problems through the 90 minutes and hopes Johnston recognises he is perfectly suited to the Fifers’ attacking game-plan.

He added: “That is what the gaffer wants, he wants us to score as many goals as we can.

“That’s the football I love – balls over the top because I just use my pace all the time to get in behind.”

Dick Campbell is confident of Lichties’ threat.