'Players are immortal even if we lose' - Arbroath boss Dick Campbell praises troops after Inverness play-off stalemate
Arbroath gaffer Dick Campbell insists he’ll still view his part-timers as “immortal”, even if they don’t go up to the Scottish Premiership via the play-offs.
The Red Lichties – who defied the odds to finish second in this season’s Scottish Championship just two points behind title winners Kilmarnock – earned a 0-0 draw at Inverness Caledonian Thistle in Tuesday night’s Premiership play-off semi-final first leg.
This arguably makes Campbell’s side slight favourites to get through the tie, with the second leg to come at Gayfield this Friday evening, with kick-off at 7.45pm.
"If you'd asked me before the game if I'd be happy with that, I would be,” Campbell told the BBC after the midweek stalemate at the Caledonian Stadium.
"The game is still alive and that's all I wanted to happen. The strongest survives on Friday.
"We will have a go and have our trumpets out. What does it mean to us? You'll see on Friday.
"They're part-time players. Two games this week, two games next week.
"It definitely sways towards the full-time clubs. Even if they lose, they'll still be immortal in my eyes."
If Arbroath do succeed against Caley, they will face a two-legged play-off – likely against St Johnstone – for a spot in the top flight next season.
The first leg of this final will take place at either Arbroath or Inverness on Friday, May 20, with kick-off at 7.45pm.
The second leg away from home will follow on Monday, May 23 with kick-off also at 7.45pm.