Happy homecoming for ex-Gable Endie

One-time Montrose goalkeeper Lucas Birnstingl – who fled the Angus club, and the country – after being beaten by a fellow shotstopper in a derby before getting sent-off, is enjoying much happier times in his homeland of Canada.

Birnstingl saw a free-kick from Arbroath’s number one David Crawford bounce over his head during a 5-1 defeat in October 2014 before being red-carded six minutes from time.

The following day the now 29-year-old opted to end his time in Scotland and returned to Canada due to homesickness without informing Montrose of his moves.

Birnstingl has bounced back and has just been voted the Player of the Month in the Ontario 1 League, the third level of football in Canada, where he now keeps goal for Oakville Blue Devils.

A club spokesperson said: “Lucas as been our Most Valuable Player. He has gone nine and a half games without conceding a goal from open play and eight and a half games since a penalty was scored against him.”

“That is 760 minutes, almost 13 hours of making big saves.”