FORMER Arthurlie manager Mark Cameron has sensationally returned to Dunterlie as Gavin Duncan’s right hand man.

The newly appointed ‘Lie assistant manager insisted it was a ‘no-brainer’ to accept Gavin Duncan’s offer of a return to to the club he left little over a year ago.

He resigned as boss of ‘Lie to take up the assistant’s role at SPFL side Albion Rovers — but following a summer exit at Cliftonhill, Cameron admitted he was delighted to return to the club that he holds in high regard.

He told Barrhead Sport: “Thankfully and gladfully I have returned to Arthurlie.

“I’m delighted to be back, it is a fantastic club and it was a no-brainer because I know the club well, I know the people well and I have worked with a number of the players before.

“I got the call from Gavin asking if I would be interested in coaching as he had just lost Danny Drew to work commitments, and it just ticked all the right boxes for me and I was delight to accept.

“I’ve got the connection with the club and that was a big pull — and the opportunity to work with Gavin and Billy Peacock was too good an opportunity to turn down as I’ve got a lot of friends here.” And, it was straight back to work for the man who helped Albion Rovers on their way to the Scottish Cup quarter final last season — as he was straight onto the training ground on Saturday as ‘Lie prepare for their assault on the Super League Premier.

Arthurlie kick off their pre season friendly campaign this Saturday, July 19 with an away fixture to Newtongrange Star and Cameron admitted he is delighted to be right back into the thick of the action.

He added: “All the boys were very welcoming, this is a terrific bunch of guys and a strong unit.

“But, it is a tough league and we all know we will need to get off to a good start if we are to have a successful season but I’m looking forward to the challenge and thankfully the games start back again this weekend with a friendly.” Cameron admitted that some quarters had questioned why he would return to the club in a coaching capacity despite having previously been the boss at Dunterlie. However, he was quick to dispel those assertions, explaining: “A few people have asked me why I have come back to be honest.

“But this role is no different to the one I had at Albion Rovers last season — I wasn’t the manager last year, Gavin was the manager.

“I know my strong points on the training ground and I will look to help in everyway I can as assistant.

“I have been an assistant a number of times and it is a role I enjoy so I don’t see it being an issue — the guys know how I go about my business.

With a controversial end to his Albion Rovers career, which saw Cameron, James Ward and fellow ex-Arthurlie boss Jimmy McQuade all depart the Coatbridge club, Cameron insisted that the experience has not dented his passion for the game in the slightest.

He said: “It wasn’t strange for me — to me the whole episode is now done.

“I’m still alive and kicking and live goes on. I have experienced a lot of knocks and bumps throughout my career and that was no different, yes it was hard to take but I am back at Arthurlie now and my full attention is with them.

“Arthurlie is my job now.”