Dobbie Eyes Up Beattie’s Starting Spot

Beattie has taken the lone striker role in the last couple of games reducing Dobbie to a substitutes berth but Dobbie is looking to move back ahead of him by taking his chance when he gets it.

And having started the other side of the Old Firm divide to Beattie there is another element of rivalry now in their game even if he says that the two strikers never talk about their loyalties on that front.

“It’s obviously quite an interesting situation, particularly as we’re both from the same area and are friends,” Dobbie told the Evening Post

“We came through the ranks at Rangers and Celtic at the same time and I’ve played against him over the years in the youth and reserve teams.

“We don’t tend to talk about it too much, though everyone else will probably say I don’t shut up about Rangers.

“But we are both focused on Swansea and helping the club move forward.

“With the way we play, there’s only room for one striker and at the moment Beatts is playing.

“He’s had to be patient with his injuries and has waited for his chance and played well too, so I understand why he has been playing.

“It’s a bit of a catch 22 because he’s my friend but I want to be playing instead of him. My job right now is to get back into the side.

“Hopefully I’ll get to play against Ipswich and steal a few of the headlines, particularly as it’s on television.

“I started the majority of the games at the start and that was a decent run,” he said.

“Sometimes it’s a case of your form dipping or the manager just wanting to go with another option, and you have to respect that.

“We’re all part of the squad and have our jobs to do.

“We all want to play, of course, but it’s a matter of doing all you can in training and during the time you get in games to impress the gaffer.

“When I was playing, Craig was coming back from injury and has had to wait for his chance.

“He’s got his chance now and he’s doing quite well, so it’s a matter of trying to win my place back in the team.

“I want to be part of the starting XI, but Beatts is the man in the side at the moment.”