The apprentice will attempt to put one over on the “gaffer” when Montrose entertain Arbroath in this afternoon’s eagerly-anticipated Angus derby.
Gable Endies boss Stewart Petrie is the first to admit he learned a lot about management when he worked with Dick Campbell at Forfar.
Petrie still phones the veteran manager for advice on a weekly basis even although Campbell is now one of his League 2 rivals in charge of the Red Lichties.
However, both Petrie and Campbell will put friendship to one side as their respective sides battle it out in what is sure to be a keenly-contested fixture.
The Links Park boss said: “It was great to get another win away at Stirling last week and the lads deserve a lot of credit for coming back from a goal down.
“That’s five wins since I took charge and they have all been by 2-1 scorelines which shows once again just how tight this league is.
“Sometimes you just need that wee rub of the green but we also need to keep working hard especially against a very good Arbroath team that will no doubt be hurting after last weekend’s defeat to Forfar.
“It will be fantastic to be in the dug-out opposite my mentor Dick Campbell.
“I still phone him every week for his advice and he has been a massive influence on me.
“His record is second to none and I really value his opinion.
“However, it is all about Montrose for me and hopefully we can continue our good run against Arbroath.
“We had a big crowd the last time we were at home thanks to the club’s ticket initiative. The fans made a real difference with their support and hopefully we can get more of the same again and repay them with a victory.”
Gary Fraser and Michael Bolochoweckyj have returned to training after injury while Paul Watson, Iain Campbell and long-term absentee Chris Hegarty have started doing some light running again.
Meanwhile, Arbroath will arrive at Links Park still licking their wounds after last weekend’s bitterly-disappointing defeat at home to league leaders Forfar.
The Red Lichties were determined to close the gap on their Angus neighbours but lost 1-0 with Gary Bollan’s side now 11 points out in front.
However, Campbell insists it is still all to play for in the title race with 39 points up for grabs before the regular season ends.
He said: “We didn’t deserve to win last week as we didn’t apply ourselves properly.
“Having said that, I felt we were in control of the game and they scored against the run of play.
“Forfar are now 11 ahead of us and you would have to say the title is theirs to lose.
“However, I have won promotion through the play-offs before and there is still 39 points to play for so we are not relinquishing anything just yet.
“We now have another tough derby at Montrose as they are doing well at the moment having won their last three.
“I obviously know Stewart really well but friendship goes out of the window for the 90 minutes and what I would say is beware the wounded lion as we are still hurting.
“Ryan McCord is in the squad after suspension and I have a big decision to make after the Forfar game – do I make wholesale changes or very few?”
