No animosity from John Brown for Rab Douglas

Dundee manager John Brown last night revealed he’d be happy to shake Rab Douglas’s hand as the pair prepare to go head-to-head in tonight’s Dens Park clash with Forfar.

Picture: Jane Barlow

Brown and goalkeeper Douglas were involved in a well-documented falling-out towards the end of last season which led to the ex-Celtic and Scotland star leaving the Tayside club on a sour note. Douglas, 41, is preparing to return to his old club for the first time since his acrimonious departure when they head to Dens for their Ramsdens Cup tie and Brown is refusing to be bitter about what happened with the Dark Blues hero in the past.

Brown said: “My hand is always there for anybody. I’m just concentrating on the game so that’s all in the past. It’s all about getting through to the next round of the Ramsdens Cup as far as I’m concerned.”

Brown’s counterpart at Station Park, Dick Campbell, will give Douglas, 41, his Forfar debut in place of Darren Hill. Douglas joined the Loons in the summer in a dual playing and coaching role and he will don his gloves for the first time in Dundee tonight.

As well as wanting to score past Douglas, Campbell reckons his entire side are a target now in cup competitions as he explained: “Having knocked Rangers out of the Scottish League Cup everyone will see sending Forfar out of a cup competition as a big result. In some ways it is a nice problem to have but my players will be well warned that Dundee see this as a big game and that we have to play really well if we are to progress.”

The Loons will be without Gavin Malin after he picked up a knock in the 2-0 defeat by Ayr at the weekend and Keith Gibson remains out with a knock. However Iain Campbell and Mark McCulloch return from bans and Darren Dods is free to play despite his sending-off at Somerset Park.

In other cup ties tonight, Jimmy Boyle’s Airdrieonians will have to play host to cup holders Queen of the South without injured striker John Boyle.

Ayr United welcome Falkirk to Somerset Park and Bairns manager Gary Holt expects a “warm welcome” from the home fans because of the tattoo of their rivals, Kilmarnock’s, club crest on his leg.

“I will get plenty of stick but I am sure it will be good natured,” said Holt.

Stranraer will look to bounce back from their defeat by Rangers against Annan Athletic and Peterhead take on Stenhousemuir at Balmoor Stadium. Last but not least, a tasty tie is in prospect at East End Park as Dunfermline face up to fierce rivals Raith Rovers.