Montrose boss frustrated by lack of preparation time

Montrose manager Stewart Petrie is looking forward to taking his League Two champions to Falkirk but would have preferred more time to prepare.

The Gable Endies take on Paul Hartley’s Championship side in the opening round of Betfred Cup games.

Petrie said: “This is a great game for us to have at this stage of the season as it will improve our match sharpness.

“Falkirk have rebuilt their team but they will play in the manner that Paul Hartley demands and that is to pass the ball and then pass it even more.

“We will have a lot of running about to do and that will help us for the rest of the season. This game has come early as we have only had three pre-season games and seven training sessions to get ready for it.

“Our players came back in great shape but there has not been a lot of time spent on the organisational side of things. It is not the ideal preparation.”

The Gable Endies are going into battle light on bodies after losing Cammy Ballantyne to Dumbarton, Lewis Milne to Raith Rovers and the retirement of Chris Templeman.

Petrie is unlikely to have any fresh faces for the Falkirk Stadium clash and he said: “It has been a frustrating time on the recruitment side of things.

“We had earmarked a couple of signings but we never got them over the line, so we will just have to be patient and look at the loan market when that opens.”

Former Bairn Paddy Cregg has been added, with Petrie saying: “Paddy is a good experienced professional.

“He will keep the ball for us in midfield and has the ability to supply a killer pass.”

Ex-dundee and Arbroath striker Josh Skelly has also been recruited.

Petrie added: “I am pleased to say that Josh will be involved as well. My only wish is that we had more debutants.”