ANDY GIBSON Q&A

Andy Gibson

Former Aberdeen striker Andy Gibson has been playing an important role in the efforts to keep the Cove Rangers fans informed while they are unable to get into the Balmoral Stadium.

Andy will be seated at the back of the Alan McRae Stand supplying the OPTA statistics that are used by the media, including Sky Sports and the BBC, in their reports and follow-ups to matches.

Andy was also their man-in-the stand last term, so it seemed fitting to ask him to explain what he does - and to ask his opinion on how we are shaping up since joining the SPFL.

Everyone in the Alan McRae stand can see and hear you speaking away on match days, what are you doing?

I work for OPTA stats and my task is to tell them about everything that happens in every Cove game played at the Balmoral Stadium. I start by supplying the teams and formations and then describe all of the action from the first minute to the last.

The company are based in Dublin and I’m on the phone the whole game telling my copy taker on the other end who has passed the ball to who, whether it was a long or short pass and where on the pitch the pass has been made.

I have to give that sort of detail for everything that happens, bookings, throw-ins, corners and, of course, goals scored. It’s intense at times and very hard work but I really enjoy it.

So what do OPTA do with all of that information?

It is used to provide a statistical analysis of the game. Those stats are then listed or turned into graphics, which gives fans added value. They are also used by managers and coaches when they look back on the games.

OPTA have someone doing exactly the same as I do at every senior ground in the UK every weekend. The majority of the analysts, like myself, have previously played at decently high levels.

Former Aberdeen defender Brian Mitchell does the games at Pittodrie and Mark Perry, who played for the Dons and Cove Rangers, is the man on duty when Peterhead are playing at home.

I love the fact it helps to keep me involved. I get to see live games of football every couple of weeks and I feel very fortunate, particularly during these challenging times.

It also gives me the chance to see some of my former teams and catch up with some of the people I have worked with over the years.

Did you ever play against Cove Rangers?

A couple of times, with Aberdeen. One of them was in the Aberdeenshire Cup final, at Allan Park. Willie Miller was managing Aberdeen’s reserve side at that time, which gives you an idea of how long ago it was.

I managed to score a couple of goals and we won the cup, despite the fact the pitch at Allan Park was never the greatest. Games against them were always tough.

You first started covering Cove games last season, have you liked what you have seen?

Very much so. You only need to look at the set-up at Balmoral Stadium to see they are a club with ambition. They have the ideal set-up and the right people in the right places to keep pushing the club forward.

Out on the pitch, they have been simply outstanding, everything is professionally run and they have set very high standards. The fact I have yet to see Cove drop a league point at Balmoral says it all.

That is an amazing home record for any club, never mind one that was still playing in the Highland League the season before last. That is something manager Paul Hartley and the players are right to feel proud about.

You also played for Partick Thistle, Peterhead and Forfar Athletic, who are all competing with Cove in league one this term. How do you feel we compare to those clubs?

Cove have beaten all three of them so far, so you have to say very favourably. It’s been an amazing start for a team playing at League One level for the first time.

I’m a great believer in saying once you have a bit of a momentum going in the right direction it’s easier to keep it going. There was a lot of pressure on Cove coming into the campaign but they have taken

that in their stride because they have the experience of doing so well last season.

The people at Cove won’t thank me for staying so at this stage, but I wouldn’t rule out them going on to win the league. I would be surprised if they don’t at least make it to the play-offs.

I was at Peterhead when we climbed up a couple of divisions. We were then just a penalty shoot-out from going up again. Cove definitely have the potential to do the same. It is obviously going to get tougher as the season progresses.

Partick and Falkirk are full-time and you would expect them to handle the demands of things like injuries and suspensions. But I would argue that Cove are the strongest part-time side in there. Just look at the quality of the players they have.

They have a really good mix of youth and experience with the likes of Stuart McKenzie, Ryan Strachan and Rory McAllister alongside Harry Milne, Adam Livingstone and Ross Graham. That’s before we even mention Mitch Megginson, who really should be playing at a higher level.

I’ve also been highly impressed by what I’ve seen of Leighton McIntosh, he will be an important player for Cove. They have a strong bench most weeks, which can be a real asset at this level. It means the manager has the option to change things if he feels the need. A lot of the other clubs don’t have as many options in reserve. Let’s not forget they played their early games without the injured Fraser Fyvie, who has played at the very highest levels.

They should have nothing to fear as they compete with Partick and Falkirk. I spoke to the Partick assistant manager after their match here and he admitted everyone in the league is wary of Cove Rangers - and they should be.

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