Weir keen to see Loons build on draw with Rovers

Forfar boss optimistic ahead of trip to Coatbridge as he clinches loan deal

ALBION ROVERS V FORFAR

Forfar manager Jim Weir is hoping that his bottom of-the-table side can build on their 1-1 draw with League one leaders Raith Rovers last weekend.

The Loons have an away trip to Albion Rovers today and the recently-appointed Station Park boss is already seeing signs of improvement.

Weir said: “It was a much improved display from the week before against Ayr United when we lost 5-0.

“It was good to see the players responding to what has been discussed on the training pitch.

“It was also good to see them come from a goal behind and ensure they got something from the game. It has given us a platform to build on as we look to secure the first win of my time here.”

Weir wants to make sure the trajectory continues to be an upward one.

He added: “A lot of what goes along with this game is very different to the Raith one.

“We are away from home, on a grass pitch, playing against a part-time side and with an atmosphere that will not be the same.

“We have to show that we can handle that change. There is no point in making steps forward in the Raith game and then taking steps back in this one.

“They showed a lot of battling qualities to get a point at Airdrie last weekend but this is a game we can look to get points in.”

Experienced midfielder Mark Millar will be missing along with Simon Mensing, Marc Scott and Jim Lister, but former Dundee midfieler Eddie Malone is available again.

Weir said: “Mark Millar is a good footballer and a cool head as he showed with the penalty last weekend. He will be missed but we need to get on with things.”

Weir meanwhile has completed his second Forfar signing with the arrival on an emergency transfer of Dunfermline midfielder Scott Lochhead.

The 20-year-old joins his East End Park colleague Conner Duthie in making the temporary move to Station Park until late January.

Lochhead was on the books of both Rangers and Celtic as a schoolboy before signing for Dundee United in 2014.

He subsequently made the move to the Pars’ at the start of last season, spending time earlier this year on loan at Clyde.

He goes straight into Forfar’s pool for the trip to Coatbridge.

Scott Lochhead, left, has joined Forfar on loan, while Barry Sellars is the new Loons assistant boss.