Clean sheet pleases Sheerin

ARBROATH boss Paul Sheerin will make his final preparations for the first meaningful action of the new season on Saturday with another friendly against SPL outfit Inverness at Gayfield tonight.

The Red Lichties will be looking to secure a top-tier double after last weekend’s victory at the same venue over PartickThistle.

Veteran striker Graham Bayne scored the only goal of the game for Arbroath but Sheerin admitted that while he was delighted with the result, he was even more pleased by the clean sheet kept by his players, especially after they had shipped two against Lossiemouth and three versus Aberdeen in their previous two games.

The player-manager said: “It was a good result on Saturday but we are not getting carried away. I think we have shown signs of steady progression throughout our pre-season programme and have improved in every game.

“I was impressed by the lads’ fitness against a full-time side but I was really pleased that we managed to secure a clean sheet after conceding five goals in our previous two games.

“The big test will come on Saturday when we face a team from our division, Stenhousemuir, in the Ramsdens Cup.

“However, before that we have another friendly against Inverness to look forward to. As far as I am aware, Terry Butcher will be bringing a full-strength side down so it will be a big test for us.”

Prior to Saturday’s game against Thistle, Sheerin bolstered his squad with the addition of former Croydon front man Lari Yao and Colin Hamilton, who was a big success for the Red Lichties last season.

That brings his roster up to 18 but the player-manager revealed he has another target in mind.

He said: “I am delighted to tie up Lari and Colin for the coming season but I would still like to add another.

“I know what I need but I am not in a hurry and will take my time before deciding, although that might change if we pick up any serious injuries.

“Bobby Linn suffered an ankle knock against Partick and will not be risked before Saturday’s cup game as a precaution.”

Former St Johnstone player Sheerin would like nothing better than to be cheering on the present Saints squad on Thursday night as they attempt to go through to the next qualifying round of the Europa League by despatching Rosenborg.

The Perth men hold a 1-0 advantage after the first leg in Norway last week but Sheerin will be unable to attend the return match as the Lichties will be training.

He said: “It is just unfortunate timing as I would have loved to have gone to the Saints match. Hopefully, though, they can finish the job they started with that fantastic result in Norway.”