‘We’re raring to go against Stranraer’

Arbroath boss Dick Campbell is hoping the hard work his players put in during a mini winter break will reap dividends when they face Stranraer at Gayfield this afternoon, writes Neil Robertson.

The table-topping Red Lichties lost their last League 1 game at home to local rivals Forfar two weeks ago but they then had a free weekend due to East Fife’s involvement in the Irn-Bru Cup.

However, the time without a match was put to good effect with Campbell now hoping his team can return to winning ways against a Stranraer side that dumped them out of the Scottish Cup back in November.

The Arbroath players will approach the game knowing that with nearest rivals Raith Rovers on Scottish Cup business at Hibs today, they can move 15 points clear of the Kirkcaldy side if they can secure another vital victory over the Blues.

Campbell said: “It has been a long fortnight for us after the last result.

“Nobody likes getting beaten at home by one of your biggest rivals in a local derby.

“There has been a lot of serious thinking over what went wrong and what we can do to correct it.

“All credit to Forfar but we are better than that and we have been working hard with the boys at training since then.

“I think the break has come at a good time for us and everyone is raring to go once again against Stranraer.

“Raith obviously dropped points last week while we were not playing but, as ever, I am only concentrating on ourselves not what is going on elsewhere.

“Stranraer have lost their last few games but they beat us in the Scottish Cup at Gayfield the last time they played us.

“So we are determined to set the record straight on that and hopefully secure another vital three points.

“I have a full squad to choose from with no injury or suspension worries.”

Boss Dick Campbell has a full squad to pick from.