Arbroath can make second spot a reality

Arbroath may well find themselves sitting second in the Championship this weekend, writes Ian Roache.

There are a few ifs and buts but it’s not a fantastical notion by any means.

It is a scenario that would surely see Dick Campbell’s manager-ofthe-year nomination popped into the post box with a few months of the season to spare.

However, it does not need a crazy set of results to make it happen.

A win for league leaders Dundee United over secondplaced Inverness Caley Thistle at Tannadice on Friday needs to be followed by a home win for the Lichties over third-placed Ayr United the next day.

That would push them into second spot on the 37-point mark, with the Highlanders staying on 36 and the Honest Men stuck on 35.

Let’s face it, a United winarbroath win combination wouldn’t exactly be the shock of the century.

The Lichties continued their fantastic campaign with a 2-0 home win over Queen of the South last Saturday, thanks to goals from David Gold and Dale Hilson.

That pushed Campbell’s part-timers into the play-off zone, confounding the doubters who thought they would struggle to avoid relegation this season.

It is also worth noting that the Lichties are better off this season than the fourth-placed Championship side after 24 games – Inverness – were at the same stage last year.

After their own 24 matches, the Angus men sit on 34 points, thanks to 10 wins and four draws.

Twelve months ago, after losing 1-0 away to Dunfermline on February 16, Caley Thistle had 33 points after seven wins and 12 draws.

John Robertson’s team kicked on from there and went on to finish the regular season in third spot with 56 points from their 36 matches. They then lost out to United in the Premiership promotion play-off semi-final.

No one at Gayfield will be getting carried away, even if they do reach those dizzy heights, especially Campbell.

They will still tell you that staying up is their first target.

However, surely it is fine for fans to ponder what thrills and spills this season may yet have in store for them.

Arbroath’s remaining matches are: Ayr (h), Dundee (a), Dunfermline (h), Morton (a), Inverness (h), Queen of the South (a), Dundee United (h), Partick Thistle (a), Dunfermline (a), Dundee (h), Ayr United (a), Alloa (h).