Saturday 3rd July 2021
WHEN Carlo Pignatiello was 19, Stevie Farrell set him a challenge.
Now that he’s mastered that one, it’s time to try another, under the same manager.
During the truncated 2019/20 season, Carlo was on loan from Livingston to Stranraer, where Stevie was manager. He started it in midfield before being asked to try at right back.
It worked a treat, to the extent that Carlo was man of the match in the Stair Park side’s Scottish Cup tie at Ibrox two days after his 20th birthday.
Having been on loan to Arbroath last season, Carlo remains a Livingston player but will be wearing a different type of black and gold this time around.
He’s back working under Stevie in League One, but this time at Dumbarton, and it’s a challenge he can’t wait to start.
Sons fans saw his ability in midfield and at right back during the 90 minutes of Saturday’s 1-0 win at home to Clydebank.
Carlo said: “I heard that Dumbarton had been in contact with Livingston and I went to ask what was happening, as I initially wanted to stay there and maybe break into the first team.
“But I was playing in and out of the team during friendlies and I decided I wanted to go out on loan and get regular game time.
“I’ve worked with the gaffer before so I’m happy to come in and get games under my belt in what will be a challenging season.
“I liked how the manager’s regime worked at Stranraer and I know a few of the players who are already here.
“Whatever the gaffer asks me to do, I’ll go out there and give it the best of my ability, and hopefully we can go on and have a good season.
“I played in midfield a lot to begin with but it was the gaffer who made me a right back. Since then I’ve played a bit more for Livi, but he’s probably the first to put me there.”
The result capped off a good week for Carlo, who with family links, retains an interest in who wins the European Championship.
He added: “Every season is a big one but I want to come here and do well, and then go and impress back at Livingston. I’m looking forward to it.
“My dad’s parents are Italian, so I’ve been cheering for them during the European Championship and was pleased with the result last night.
“To be fair, I’d rank them and England as the two teams most likely to be in the final.”
Andy Galloway