Lothian boss Carr hails champions Leith Athletic

The Meadowbank club secured their maiden crown with a 3-1 win over Burntisland Shipyard on Tuesday night and will receive the trophy after tonight’s match with Lothian at Saughton Enclosure.

But for Carr, who guided his side to the league title last season as well as an awe-inspiring run in this season’s Scottish Cup before succumbing to East Kilbride who earned a lucrative fifth-round tie with Celtic, the team that finishes top of the pack deserve all the success that comes their way.

“Whoever goes out and wins the league are worthy champions,” he said. “All credit to Leith for staying focused and finishing the job off. I felt sorry for them last year having led for so long to then stumble at the end. I texted Derek on Tuesday night congratulating him and his team.

“I couldn’t have asked anymore from my players this season. Would we change anything? No we wouldn’t because that Scottish Cup run will give the lads memories for years to come.

“We’re now in the process of thinking about next season and we’ve already spoken to a few already who we want to bring in. Whatever happens tonight the league is over but we won’t be putting out a team on the park who want to get beat. These boys aren’t going to go out and lie down. We play Leith again in next Sunday’s King Cup final so it’s been a good season overall.”

Elsewhere, Brian Johnstone takes his Ormiston side over to play Burntisland Shipyard while Civil Service Strollers host Hawick Royal Albert at Christie Gillies Park.