AITKEN IS LOVING LIFE IN BLUES' DUGOUT.

DIVISION THREE

STEVIE AITKEN admits the chance to take his first steps in coaching at Stranraer has been a baptism of fire.

The Stair Park assistant boss worked tirelessly alongside Keith Knox this summer to build a squad from scratch just weeks after the club's future was thrown into doubt.

But as they continue to move from strength to strength Aitken insists there will be no let-up in their efforts as they prepare to face Montrose.

Aitken said: "There was a lot made about the situation at other clubs such as Clyde who held trials to bring in players in the summer but we arrived back for pre-season and had just three players on our books.

"But we kept everything in-house and just got down to work and made sure we assembled a squad capable of challenging for the title and I feel we've done that.

"The only disappointment is the lack of consistency. We're doing well against the teams at the top but letting ourselves down in games we feel we should be winning.

"The fact we have had to rebuild an entire team from near enough scratch has been the main reason for being so up and down in the first quarter but we now aim to push on.

"We have the chance to add another three points at Montrose but they will be desperate to pick up their first win and we must make sure it isn't against us."

Aitken, 33, is enjoying his second spell at the club but would rather not pull on the boots again. He said: "It's been a great opportunity for both myself and Keith and we're learning about the job every week.

"The challenge is to guide the club to the top of the table and we believe it's achievable.

"The biggest adjustment for me is trying to take a back seat from the playing side of things and although I've been involved in a few games I'm not going to make a habit of it.

"The next few months are all about putting as many wins on the board as that will determine how successful we are going to be."

TEAMSHEET

LIVINGSTON host Albion Rovers without Raffa de Vita. The visitors rule out Steven McKeown, David McFarlane and Todd Lumsden.

East Stirling bring in keeper Gavin Sorely against an unchanged Forfar as Jamie Barclay is on Scotland Under-21 duty.

Berwick's Steve Notman is out of the game against Queen's Park.

Murray Henderson is banned for Stranraer's clash with Montrose. Elgin lose David Craig Snr and Paul Kaczan from the side to face Annan.

CAPTION(S):

HARD WORK: Aitken