The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Campbell looks for side to bounce back
Arbroath boss Dick Campbell is looking for his side to bounce back strongly in the league following last week’s bitterlydisappointing Scottish Cup exit.
The Red Lichties lost in controversial fashion against Ayr at Somerset Park, with the veteran manager being sent to the stand after confronting referee Mike Roncone on the pitch after his side were denied what looked like a certain penalty.
Campbell has now been summoned to a disciplinary hearing by the SFA scheduled for February 8.
He is determined to keep his counsel on the incident until then.
However, he reiterated his belief that his side were hard done by against the Honest Men.
Campbell said: “We are still bitterly disappointed that we are out of the cup.
“We had the lion’s share of possession, more than double the shots they had with 10 on target.
“We were also denied a stone-wall penalty and two of their goals were offside.
“So we are aggrieved but it is time to move on.”
Arbroath will attempt to do so at Airdrie this afternoon.
The last time the sides met, Campbell’s men ran riot, winning 7-1.
However, the manager has warned his team to take nothing for granted as he welcomes a certain well-known veteran goalie back to his squad.
Campbell said: “Big Rab Douglas will be on the bench for us once more. Ricky Gomes has had to go back to Portugal as his grandfather is seriously ill.
“Ryan Wallace is back available after being cup-tied last week and I was hoping to freshen things up, but we are down to just 16 fit players.
“We had a good win over Airdrie the last time we played them, but they have signed three players this week and I have warned our lads it will be a different ball game this time.
“We are sitting in third place at the moment in the play-off places but the next three games will be vital for us,” he said.
“After Airdrie we play Albion Rovers and then Stranraer, so it is an important month.”