The stage is perfectly set for Saturday’s Angus derby between Arbroath and Montrose at Gayfield, with both clubs having made perfect starts to the season.
Links Park manager George Shields, who took over from Stuart Garden towards the end of last season, said: “It is great that both sides are at the top of League 2 and the 100% record of at least one will go in this game.
“Arbroath have done well winning their three games, especially with two of them being away from home at Berwick and then Queen’s Park. I watched them against Albion Rovers as our game with Clyde that Saturday was postponed. Gayfield was at its windy best but Arbroath adapted to the conditions and came away with a 1-0 win.”
Montrose have six points, after two wins from two, with Shields saying: “It will be difficult at Arbroath in what is our first away game of the season. We had two home cup ties against Peterhead and Falkirk and then a 4-1 win over East Stirlingshire and 2-0 success against Annan.
“I live in Dundee and I recognise that there is a rivalry between the clubs. Things are heating up ahead of it - with both sides on good runs it adds to the occasion. The clubs have not played each other much over the past few years - as well as the three points the fans will want the bragging rights.”
The game will be a first for Arbroath management duo Allan Moore and Todd Lumsden but Shields does have some experience of the fixture.
He said: “I have been involved in three of these derby games. The first was when I was a coach during Ray Farningham’s time in charge and then I was the assistant to Stuart Garden last season when we won 1-0 in a Scottish League Cup tie.
“Our fans enjoyed that one, especially as it was at Arbroath and they were in the higher league then. We were not expected to win.”
Ross McCord, who will be available after suspension for this game, scored the winner and Montrose goalkeeper Stuart McKenzie saved a penalty, with Shields adding: “If you offered me a 1-0 win just now with similar excitement I would probably take it!
“The ironic twist is that we then met Morton where Allan Moore was the manager. His team won that game 4-0 so we are looking for better against him this time.”
Montrose will need to keep a close eye on a summer transfer target that got away. The Gable Endies had hoped to bring striker Simon Murray back to Links Park but he opted for the Red Lichties.
Shields said: “Simon is a local boy and we had him at Montrose as a kid and then sold him to Tayport, who were managed by former Arbroath boss John McGlashan. He developed well there before leaving to go to Australia for a year.
“When he came back earlier this year we were keen to bring him back. We spoke to him and thought he was coming here but he opted for Arbroath.
“He is doing well for them, which is not a surprise. He has a lot of pace and will need careful watching but Arbroath have a few players like that.
“Bobby Linn will be a real handful and, in my opinion, he should be playing a couple of divisions higher. However, we have a strong squad and no-one is guaranteed a starting place. That is keeping performance levels high and hopefully that will be the case this weekend.”
Craig Stewart
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