Red Lichties not in play-offs to make up numbers, insists Linn

ARBROATH 2 AIRDRIEONIANS 0

It is just 352 days since Arbroath were celebrating the League 2 title after snatching it from Forfar on Helicopter Saturday.

But within days of claiming that silverware, manager Dick Campbell was already setting his sights on expanding the trophy cabinet with a new cup – the League 1 title.

It was always going to be a massive ask for Arbroath to win back-to-back titles – especially against the financial might of full-time rivals Ayr United and Raith Rovers.

But while they just fell short of another title, Arbroath are very much in with a chance of clinching successive promotions.

Saturday’s 2-0 win over Airdrieonians flattered the visitors who could easily have found themselves on the end of a hammering and it confirmed Arbroath’s place in the Championship play-offs.

And, according to midfielder Bobby Linn, the Gayfield side aren’t going there just to make up the numbers.

“Anyone who knows our management team will know they are very ambitious,” said Linn.

“It tells you all you need when you realise that even though we only got back into this league last season they wanted to win it.

“When we realised that was beyond us the next best thing was getting into the play-offs and we’ve achieved that.

“We are deservedly in third place, just behind the two full-time teams in the league, and we aren’t in the play-offs just to make up the numbers.

“We are going to make an impact and why not? Look at what Brechin did last year after finishing fourth.

“Why can’t we go in there and get the positive results we need to go up again?”

Danny Denholm put Arbroath ahead from close range before visiting keeper Rohan Ferguson made a string of top saves to keep the hosts at bay.

On another day, both Denholm and Ryan Wallace could have walked away with hat-tricks.

As it was, Wallace had to settle for being a creator as his corner set Colin Hamilton up for the volley that put Arbroath 2-0 up and sealed their play-off spot.

They will face either Ayr, Raith or Dumbarton in the play-off semifinals after next weekend’s visit to Hampden to face Queen’s Park.

And Linn added: “It feels good when opponents come here and give us praise.

“A lot of them have said to us this season that no team is going to fancy coming up against us and that is a massive compliment. “It’s great hearing it. “It shows we are on the right tracks and we really deserve to be in third place.”