Thursday 28th January 2016
JAMIE LINDSAY and Tom Walsh will be the best of team-mates until the end of the season.
After that they’ll be back on opposite sides of Scottish football’s biggest rivalry.
But for now, they’re the young loan duo who have shelved the Old Firm divide to help Dumbarton’s cause in the Championship.
Jamie’s loan from Celtic, recently extended until the end of the season, has borne more fruit as the season has gone on.
Meanwhile, Tom arrived from Rangers two weeks ago and impressed on his debut in Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Raith Rovers.
Both are hopeful of pushing on for first team football at Parkhead and Ibrox respectively once their loan spells expire. However, that’s for another day.
Jamie is doing something this season that many Celtic players may not do – he’s playing first-team football against Rangers.
But he said: “My mates have been telling me to score when I’ve gone into games against Rangers but that’s been about it!
“It’s great to link up with Tom, because I played for Scotland’s youth teams with him for a couple of years.
“When Stevie Aitken told me that there was a possibility he could join, I was happy to hear it as I know how well he can play.
“I’ve just signed a new contract with Celtic so hopefully if I keep playing the way I am I can force my way into the reckoning there.
“I’m working hard every day, but it was the best thing for me to go out and get some game time, and I’m enjoying getting it with Dumbarton.
“Stuart Findlay was on loan here last season and really enjoyed it here, but everybody I’ve spoken to has had good things to say.”
Meanwhile, Tom is also keen to put in positive midfield performances alongside Jamie despite the rivalry of their parent clubs.
And as well as helping Dumbarton’s cause, there’s also a way he can still assist Rangers in achieving their goal this season.
He said: “I haven’t been told particularly to make sure we take points off Hibernian and Falkirk but that’s certainly what we’ll be trying to do!
“As well as playing alongside Jamie, and Calum Waters, for Scotland’s youth teams, I’ve played against them at under-20 level as well.”
“I know what they can do and I know them personally as well, so it helps coming into the dressing room and knowing your team-mates straight away.
“I’ve still got another season on my contract at Rangers and the gaffer (Mark Warburton) has told me I’ll be back there in pre-season.
“I feel I’m good enough to be in the team. I just need to stay fit. I played in Rangers’ first game this season against St Mirren and that was a massive game, so the manager obviously thinks I’m good enough as well.”
For more from both players, check back to the club website later today.
Andrew Galloway