The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Links Park boss wary of talented hosts
Montrose have already beaten Edinburgh City twice this season but Gable Endies boss Stewart Petrie is taking absolutely nothing for granted this afternoon, writes Neil Robertson.
The table-topping Angus outfit returned to winning ways last week thanks to a 1-0 success down at Annan.
At the same time, Edinburgh were securing a vital victory of their own – their second in succession – against rock-bottom Cowdenbeath.
Two of Montrose’s title challengers, Peterhead and Stirling, meet today but Petrie insisted his sole focus will be on a dangerous Edinburgh side that have experience throughout their ranks, including former Hamilton defender Jesus Garcia Tena, ex-hibs and Dundee United striker Farid El Alagui and Craig Beattie who has played for Scotland and Hearts.
Petrie said: “When you look at the Edinburgh City team and see some of the names, they are a very talented bunch of lads.
“They are coming off the back of two wins and a massive result at Cowdenbeath last week. I am sure they will be full of confidence.
“We have just passed the halfway mark of the season so there is no point looking at other games at all.
“It is just a case of taking care of our own business and we will have to be at our very best to go there and get a result with the way they have been performing in the last couple of weeks.”
Recent signing Lewis Milne was the Montrose goal hero at Annan last week with the game also seeing the return of Michael Bolochoweckyj after an achilles injury.
Petrie added: “Lewis is a talented young man who has a lot of abilities and it was a goal worthy of winning any game.
“That’s why we have brought him to the football club.
“Michael has been out for seven months and he was probably thrust in quicker than we expected because of the injury to Ian Campbell.
“I think the biggest compliment you can give Michael is that he looked like he had never been away.
“So I am delighted to have him back and it is like having a new signing.”
Petrie has illness concerns over two players with the manager adding: “Graham Webster is doubtful as he has chicken pox and Gary Fraser didn’t train on Thursday as he has flu symptoms so there will be late decisions taken on those two.
“Ian Campbell is still struggling and Martyn Fotheringham is out.”