‘It is great to get it over the line.’
That was my first thought when the final whistle went at Brechin on Saturday, kicking off the Arbroath title party.
The boys painted the town red – I have heard all about it – but it was a more sober occasion for me as I was at a family wedding that night.
I am sure there will something arranged for the close season when we can all party together.
Back to the actual football, though, and you can’t overstate how great an achievement it was for a part-time team to lead League One almost all the way.
I have won things at Celtic and Dundee, and it is a special feeling.
Gayfield is full of good football people who deserve this success.
Also, the fans have been brilliant and backed their team even when we were going through a bit of a sticky spell.
They are almost spoiled now, though, because that’s two promotions in three seasons!
One of the good football people I refer to, of course, is the gaffer and Dick Campbell’s managerial record speaks for itself.
He is so well respected in the Scottish game and comes alive on a Saturday.
He will be absolutely relishing the thought of pitting his wits against his fellow Championship managers next season, that’s for sure.
~ The next big match I will be turning my attention to is, of course, Dundee’s trip to McDiarmid Park on Saturday.
It is a massive game for the club and certainly a must-win in my book.
They need to stop the rot and that means beating St Johnstone.
Do that and you never know but lose and it’s looking grim.
I don’t care if it’s a terrible game and Dundee’s winner is a fluke that goes into the net via someone’s face or body, as long as it means the three points are heading back to Dens.
Maybe they are due a bit of luck like that. We will see.
~ On a human level, surely it is time to make a decision over Scotland boss Alex McLeish’s future.
It is not right to leave such a cloud hanging over him, regardless of how well you feel he has been doing the job.
The SFA board is due to meet this week and the manager’s position has to be at the top of the agenda.
They need to either come out and back him or look elsewhere and it’s typical SFA that they have allowed this to drag on for so long.
I am not confident, though, that there will be a clear plan in place if they do decide Alex’s time is up.
