Campbell follows father with Montrose coaching appointment

Ross Campbell has taken the first steps in copying his dad Dick’s 30 -year career in coaching by taking on first team coaching duties at Montrose.

The 33-year-old former Forfar and East Fife striker has been assisting Links Park manager Stewart Petrie, who ironically worked under Campbell Sr when he was in charge of the Loons.

Petrie said: “Ross has been a great help as a player and a coach since I came in at the end of last year. He has all the attributes to extend his time in football on the management side and I am glad that he is kicking off things here.”

“I don’t know if he will want to be in the game the same length of time his dad has been but it is a nice target to aim for.”

East Fife manager Barry Smith could be facing a player shortage for Saturday’s game with Brechin City with up to five players set to miss out – and the ex-Dundee boss has joked that he may need to dig out his boots!

Kyle Wilkie and Tony Wallace have already been ruled out for the season with Luke Watt, Scott Robinson and Kevin Smith all struggling with injuries picked up in Saturday’s 3-2 Scottish Cup defeat from St Mirren.

Smith said: “Luke is giving us the greatest concern and we are in regular contact with Motherwell as he is their player. It looked like a hamstring problem at the weekend but we need to wait until things have settled down before we know the full extent.”

The 42 year old said: “It has been a while but I may need to get my boots on if things don’t improve.”

Forfar defensive midfielder Eddie Malone will miss their next three League Two matches.

The 31-year-old had picked up five bookings with Spartans and a recent caution against Berwick was due to see Malone sit out one game.

However, his red card against Elgin has brought a further twogame ban that will see the player out of action until March.