Skipper deal will save us
Arbroath goal hero Dale Hilson reckons captain Tam O’Brien penning a new deal can inspire the Red Lichties to Championship safety.
Skipper O’Brien signed a new five-year contract prior to their huge 1- 0 win over league leaders Queen’s Park on Friday. The triumph lifted them out of the relegation play- off spot and into eighth place.
Hilson insists O’Brien committing his longterm future to the club shows Dick Campbell’s squad that he’s up for the fight to keep them in the second tier.
Hilson said: “Tam is our captain and a big player for us. He has been a hugely inf luential member of our dressing room for years.
“The fact that he has committed his longterm future to the club sends a message to us.
“It shows leadership as our captain is willing
to stay and fight for this club. He’s showing the way by committing his future to the club.”
Arbroath boss Dick Campbell is thrilled O’Brien is staying.
Campbell said: “Why is everyone at Arbroath so happy at Tam’s new deal? Probably because Tam is as good as any player in the league.”
Hilson bagged the winner seven minutes after climbing off the bench as he pounced on an error from Stephen Eze and slotted home.
The striker said: “You need to be patient and when you get a chance you’ve got to take it.
“It’s all about the team. They were magnificent all over the park.
“Look at the defence. They were blocking everything. I watched it from the sideline in the f irst half and I was cheering their blocks almost like we’d scored a goal.
“Tam O’Brien and Lewis Banks made two unbelievable blocks on the goal-line.”