Crighton wary of visitors as Airdrie prepare to host Livingston in Miller’s first competitive game in charge
Kenny Miller will kick off his tenure as Livingston player/ manager with a Betfred Cup Group F game at Airdrie and the former Scotland striker says he has taken on a side that has confidence in its ranks.
Successive promotions have built a strong belief in the Lions camp with Miller saying: “Those successes have built up a winning mentality. We now want to take that into the group stages of this competition starting at Airdrie.
“We have worked on a few things in training and I am looking forward to seeing how they work in practice.
“Playing in this competition will give us great preparation for the season ahead and I want us to top our group.”
Airdrie defender Sean Crighton, pictured, reckons that the appointment of Miller has made a tough game even tougher and he said: “This was always going to be a big game as Livingston have just been promoted, but bringing Kenny in has added something more to it.”
In the other game in the group Hamilton travel to Annan Athletic. Accies boss Martin Canning said: “We have been working towards this game over the past week where we have tried out different teams and formations. I will look to get the selection right for Annan.” St Johnstone host East Fife in Group B with the Premiership side’s manager Tommy Wright saying: “If we go about things correctly, especially in the final third of the pitch then we can get off to a winning start.”
Falkirk host Montrose in another Group B game, with Dundee travelling to Stirling Albion for their first match in Group D. Steven Caulker is a doubt due to injury, not, as reports had claimed, for disciplinary reasons. Dundee manager Neil Mccann said: “Steven came back from our training camp in Portugal to have an ankle problem looked at. There is nothing sinister going on.”
In Group E, Partick Thistle play their first game since losing their Premiership place in the play-offs to Livingston at the end of last season when they travel to Stenhousemuir. Firhill midfielder Blair Spittal said: “Relegation was a real low and the first weeks afterwards were difficult.
“However, it is all about looking forward and being positive. We will look to do well in our section and top it if we can.”
Ross County, who also took the drop in May, host former
Highland League rivals Elgin City in a Group A game with comanager Stuart Kettlewell saying: “We know a good bit about Elgin and they will be given our full respect.”
Also in Group A, Arbroath travel to Dundee United with Tannadice manager Csaba Laszlo insisting that he is looking to add to the nine new recruits already signed. Laszlo said: “I think that we still need up to four new players.”
In Group C, Inverness Caledonian Thistle welcome Cove Rangers with Caley boss John Robertson wary of the Highland League champions. He said: “Cove have proven that they can more than compete with senior teams so our attitude has to be right.”
Raith Rovers meet Cowdenbeath in a Fife derby that is being played at East Fife’s Bayview stadium as the new artificial surface at Stark’s Park is not fully ready. Queen of the South face Stranraer in the top game in Group G with Dumfries boss Gary Naysmith saying: “This will be difficult as it is a derby and there a number of familiar faces returning to face us and try to show us what we are missing.”
Spartans make their bow in the competition in Group H when Dumbarton visit. Sons boss Stephen Aitken said: “We organised pre-season games against teams from the Lowland League to help us prepare.”