Wighton rejoins Lichties to help bolster title push

Arbroath have signed Craig Wighton on loan from Dunfermline. The 24-year-old has joined up with Dick Campbell’s side for the second time, with the Lichties securing his services until the end of the season.

The Gayfield side managed to beat off competition from other sides in landing the former Dundee attacker.

Wighton will now see out the rest of the campaign with Arbroath as they look to maintain their position at the top end of the table and push for promotion.

The forward could make his second debut today as he goes into the squad to face Raith Rovers.

Wighton previously joined Arbroath on loan from Hearts in 2020, but his time in Angus was cut short as the season ground to a halt due to the Covid pandemic.

He bagged three goals in the five appearances in his initial stint.

Meanwhile, Wighton’s new team-mate, goalkeeper Derek Gaston, is looking forward to some banter with Raith Rovers fans at Stark’s Park – but is hoping Arbroath will have the last laugh and take home all three points.

The Lichties stopper saw a social media post go viral last week following their 1-0 defeat to Ayr United.

The 34-year-old shared a hilarious shout from a home supporter referencing his namesake, Gaston, the bad guy from the Disney classic Beauty And The Beast.

He wrote: “Been called many things over the years at the football, some more offensive than others, but today a line was crossed. Being told I’m just a s*** Disney character is bang out of order”.

Gaston told Courier Sport that he relishes those exchanges between players and fans and can’t wait for more when bigger crowds are allowed back into the grounds.

“I like that kind of thing when there’s humour to it,” he said.

“That’s what you really miss with the fans not being there.

“I quite like when away fans give you a wee bit and you give them some back, they appreciate it.”

“It’s not the same, even when it’s just the 500.

“It’s better than nothing but especially with the team doing so well, there’s such a good feeling when

we’re scoring goals and the noise about the place. The elation and banter you get, you miss all of that.”

Arbroath travel to Stark’s Park for their second away trip in a row.

The sides battled at Gayfield last month in a hard-fought 0-0 draw.

John McGlynn put out a defensive side which sat back and seemed happy to play for a point.

Gaston doesn’t think that will be the case this time round, with his side having only won in Kirkcaldy twice in nearly 30 years.

“It will be different away to Raith,” he said.

“Raith probably play the most football in the league in terms of how they build up attacks, it was surprising

to see them change that to face us.

“They played with a much taller and more physical side. At home you’re expected to take the game to the opposition.

“Stark’s Park is place we’ve tended to struggle in the last few seasons, they’ve played really well against us. I expect it to be a really tough game again.”

Championship player of the month Anton Dowds believes he has his mojo back after his successful spell on loan at Gayfield.

The striker was named the best player in the league for December with three goals and an assist helping the Lichties to the top of the table.

Now back at Falkirk, the

25-year-old hopes to help the Bairns make the step up from League One.

In his first game back at his parent club, he hit a hat-trick in last weekend’s 6-2 win over Dumbarton and is indebted to Arbroath for sharpening him up.

“I found myself a bit out of the picture at Falkirk and the manager at the time was happy for me to go and seek out a loan,” he said.

“I’d played with a few people who had played under Dick Campbell before and it was a case of when my agent went to speak to clubs, he was happy to talk with me.

“We had a chat about what he expects from the team and from players who

play for him and it kicked on from there.

“When I came in, I was a bit short of confidence but they came in straight away.

“I knew the standard at Arbroath and it wasn’t going to be easy getting in the team but it was an unbelievable opportunity for me to go up a league and test myself at that level.

“It was the first time I’d played in the Championship – it’s something I’d always wanted to do.

“To get that opportunity and get that belief and confidence from the management team and work on my fitness, it all started to come together.

“I feel I’ve definitely progressed.”

GAYFIELD RETURN: Dunfermline attacker Craig Wighton has moved to Arbroath on loan for the second time.