Forfar gaffer Irvine returns to touchline

Forfar Athletic boss Gary Irvine is delighted to return to the dugout today at Stenhousemuir after having to watch last weekend’s game from his sick bed.

The Loons ran out 1-0 winners against league leaders Kelty Hearts at Station Park, but it was down to assistants Gary Harkins and Scott Robertson to take charge of the side.

Irvine, who was suffering from illness, admits it was difficult to watch the game from a live stream but had full trust in his second in command.

“I’ve been back in training, feeling better to get back in about things and with the players,” he told Courier Sport.

“Last weekend was frustrating not being there with them but I’ve got my team, Jeebsy and Robbo behind me.

“I was watching it and it definitely helped me through a tough Saturday.

“It certainly cheered me up.”

Irvine will be back in charge on Saturday when his side travel to Ochilview Park.

The last meeting of the sides on Boxing Day saw them play out a sevengoal thriller with Stenhousemuir 4-1 at half-time.

The Forfar gaffer was quick to point out that the Warriors are the only side they have yet to beat in League Two and he is keen to remedy that fact.

He said: “The first 45 minutes in the last game wasn’t acceptable from us.

“We’re going in to correct that.

“We almost corrected it in the second half but we gave ourselves too much to do.”

Despite the impressive win last weekend, Forfar still remain just two points ahead of Annan in third spot.

Irvine knows the importance of continuing their good run to gather momentum as they head into the final part of the campaign.

“We’re coming into the business end of the season and we know how important results are now,” he said.

“It’s a tough league. Annan have been going well too and there are teams fighting it out to get into the play-off places.

“But I’ve never looked behind us.

“We’ve always been concentrating on ourselves and what’s in front of us. More so coming into the last part of the season, all you can do is look forward.”

Forfar go in to the clash with no fresh injury worries. All of last weekend’s squad came through the game unscathed.