Campbell proud of Smith and Robson

Stevie Campbell has taken great pride in seeing Dundee United youngsters Matty Smith and Jamie Robson make the first team breakthrough – but fears they may come back to haunt him this weekend.

The former Tangerines youth chief was responsible for helping the duo come through the ranks at Tannadice.

But he’ll be in the home dugout at Glebe Park tomorrow, hoping that Smith and Robson have an off-day as Brechin seek their first league win of the season.

Campbell said: “It will be great to see both Matty and Jamie on Saturday. I would like to think I had an influential part in their development.

“It’s a big thing to see someone like Matty coming off the bench and scoring like he did in their recent 2-1 defeat down at Livingston, while Jamie has really made that left-back position his own.

“In saying that, I hope they don’t come back to haunt me. Matty is the kind of player who can sniff out a goal and never gives defenders a minute’s peace, while Jamie can supply strikers with quality crosses – and they’re still only 20.

“I really hope Matty can continue his scoring streak but only after Saturday obviously. I know how chuffed he would have been with his goal at Livi, and know for sure how proud his dad was that Friday night.

Campbell spent 10 years coaching at Tannadice and insists it would be foolish to write off his old club’s title hopes.

He added: “I still think United aren’t out of the title race yet.

“OK, I know the gap between them and St Mirren is 17 points but a lot can happen over the coming weeks.

“They have three games in hands and if they can pick up a bit of momentum you never know what can happen between now and the end of the season.

“In my eyes, they have the best squad in the Championship in terms of quality and experience.

“At this stage of the season, it’s all about winning and it’s amazing what a late run can do just when some people think it might be already over.”

Even though Brechin are still winless in the Championship, Campbell insists the Angus part-timers aren’t feeling sorry for themselves.

He said: “We’re desperate to get the monkey off our back.

“We came so close to beating United at Glebe Park just before Christmas and we’ve pushed St Mirren very close as well, so we’ve been unlucky on occasions.

“It’s been tough and a real learning curve coming up from League One but we’re by no means dispirited.

“We are confident it will come and it would be just reward for all the lads’ efforts.”

Former United youth coach Stevie Campbell is now with Brechin City.