Campbell’s praise after Red Lichties down Hearts

Arbroath manager Dick Campbell would never read too much into pre-season results but this victory over Premier League Hearts must have left him feeling more than a little satisfied at this early stage in his preparations for life in the Championship.

The visitors enjoyed the bulk of possession but lacked the cutting edge needed to pierce a well drilled home defence, while the Lichties always looked threatening going forward.

Luke Donnelly started and finished the move which led to the opening goal on 21 minutes. The tall striker set Bobby Linn free on the left and when the cross came in Donnelly was in position to guide the ball beyond Zdenek Zlamal.

The decisive second came three minutes from the end when another pinpoint ball from Linn found sub Steven Doris who fired low beyond Hearts sub keeper Colin Doyle.

Campbell said: “Results aren’t important but the good thing about pre-season games is that they get fitness levels up. I’ve four players missing at the moment because they are on holiday.

“That’s how it is with a part-time club. Schools are just coming off now so some of them will be away on holiday. But there will be doors opening shortly for players coming in. I’m looking to sign four, but the start of the season is still four or six weeks away.”

Campbell made special mention of one of his summer acquisitions, Scott Stewart, who joined from Airdrieonians, saying: “You could see Scott is going to be a huge addition to this football club. He was outstanding today.”

Stewart was unlucky not to find himself on the scoresheet, particularly in the second half when his powerful volley from the edge of the box was brilliantly beaten away by Doyle.

The 23-year-old was happy with his first outing in a maroon jersey.

He said: “I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was good to get a run out with the boys. They have been brilliant since I came in.

“I’m looking forward to playing in the Championship but we’re under no illusions about how difficult it will be.”

Hearts boss Craig Levein gave game time to seven players who appeared in May’s Scottish Cup final defeat to Celtic, but fielded an entirely different eleven in the second half and used 24 players in total over the 90 minutes.

He said: “We did some good things, but didn’t move the ball quickly enough, and we did some things poorly as well.

“But it was good for the young kids to get an opportunity to play so and I’m reasonably happy with it.”

Arbroath players celebrate the opening goal.