ANOTHER phenomenal effort was hailed yesterday by John Christison.
“More than 20 volunteers came forward to help the ground staff remove the protective covers,” said the Lichties chairman.
“They actually had to remove ice from the top of the covers first and with the police concerned about piles of the stuff lying around, they physically had to barrow it out of the ground.
“And with further frost forecast, we were also grateful to the golf club who helped out with a machine that aerated the surface.
“We brought a referee to have a look at the pitch during the afternoon more as a comfort thing but thankfully the game was never in doubt.
“It was a tremendous occasion and Celtic also played their part. Neil Lennon was good enough to come into our hospitality after the game and speak for about 10 minutes to everyone there. Their chief executive Peter Lawwell did the same and it was appreciated by everyone at Arbroath.”
Christison insists the club’s plucky part-timers can still hold their heads high after such a tremendous effort against a side that has progressed into the last 16 of the Champions League.
Lichties striker Steven Doris had a goal chalked off after the referee blew for a foul on Hoops keeper Fraser Forster.
He said: “As soon as the goal was disallowed, my phone started to ring. It was my son-in-law, who for various reasons couldn’t be at the game, saying it was definitely a goal.
“I then started receiving texts saying the same thing and people round about me were also getting calls. So the game was a bit disappointing from that point of view…if the goal had happened at the other end…well, we will never know.
“I thought the lads were a credit not just to Arbroath but to the Scottish Football League in general.”