DAN Carmichael always hoped that he would one day return to the Scottish Professional Football League.
And for the 34-year-old, former Queen of the South and Hibs midfielder, that return eventually came in January – after a seven year spell with various non-league clubs – when he penned a deal until the end of the season with League One side Annan Athletic.
He had been training with Wullie Gibson’s squad for a number of weeks at Galabank, while, at the same time, turning out for Dalbeattie Star in the South of Scotland League.
Carmichael said: “I played with Wullie back in the day and we run SkillSkool together, coaching kids.
“I came into Annan, started training and doing well. I was told I was doing really well and asked if I would like to sign until the end of the season. I just kind of jumped at it and that was it.
“In my head I always thought I would get back in (to the senior leagues). But sometimes the body tells you different!
“You start playing local football for a year, then another year and another and it goes on.
“In the end I think it was all down to Wullie being the manager, him trusting me and giving me the opportunity again.”
He added: “I’ve played league football for a long time. The first game I came on I was just getting up to the speed of things. I’ve then came on last Saturday (in the win against Kelty) and felt really good.”
‘I’d love to get one up on them!’
CARMICHAEL is perhaps most well known for his two spells at hometown club Queen of the South.
In his first stint at Palmerston he won the Second Division Championship and the Challenge Cup in the 2012/13 season.
And he was a mainstay in the side during the 2014/15 campaign as the Doonhamers finished fourth in the Scottish Championship – only behind Hearts, Hibs and Rangers.
He said: “I think (Queens) was my most memorable time in football. It was probably the best playing wise as well, with winning the league, getting promotion and winning the cup.
“I have a good relationship with everybody at the club and the fans, everybody was good to me.”
However, tomorrow afternoon Carmichael is only thinking about helping Annan to victory as they entertain his former club in the final derby clash of the season.
It is shaping up to be a cracking encounter, with lots on the line for both teams.
Athletic are desperately trying to avoid the relegation play-off spot, while Queens are aiming to secure the play-offs at the top end of the table.
Carmichael said: “The past is the past and you’ve got to move on. I’m with Annan now, so I’d love to get one up on them!
“I’m sure it will be a decent crowd, it’s a derby game and it’s just got that wee feeling about it.
“I’m looking forward to it and hopefully I’ll get on the pitch and get some minutes.
“It’s a tight league – everyone can beat each other. I actually watched the last game between Queen of the South and Annan, and I think Annan were unlucky not to get the win.
“Both teams are going into the game confident but I think we can get a result if we turn up, but we know it’s going to be a tough game.”
When asked if he would be keen to extend his stay at Annan for another year, Carmichael stressed that he was only currently thinking about helping the club retain their third tier status.
He added: “We need points on the board, we need to try and get out of that bottom two then we’ll see what happens.
“I still want to play, do a job and do the business on the pitch. But we need to get a few more wins under our belt and then we’ll see what happens come the end of the season.”
- Annan Athletic host Queen of the South at Galabank tomorrow afternoon in SPFL League One, kick off is at 3 pm.
