Emma Hunter will have some company on the touchline for Aberdeen FC Women’s first SWPL1 game against Celtic on Sunday. Former Dundee United head-coach Gavin Beith joined up with the team this week as the side’s new Co-Manager.

The experienced coach joins the Dons after a six-year spell in charge of United during which he led the club into SWPL2.

“It’s been a month or so now that I’ve been out of the game and it’s great to get going again. It’s good to meet all the girls and get a training session in ahead of a big game at the weekend. Celtic first up a massive challenge for everyone but the girls deserve it because they did so well last year to get here. It’s one that the players will relish but I think every game will be like that this season with some of the sides we’ll come up against”.

As well as his experience of management from his time in charge at Dundee United, Beith brings with him a wealth of coaching knowledge from his time with the national set up.

“I’ve been employed by the SFA for past nine years or so, my main role is looking after coach education and I’ve also worked in school’s programs. I’ve also spent six years at Dundee United and I’ve more recently been involved with the Scotland under-17 national team with Pauline MacDonald. I’ve gathered up a fair bit of experience of the women’s game over that time but this is my first involvement in SWPL1 so it is as exciting for me as it will be for the players”.

The Dons have had several players involved with the national under-17 and 19 squads over the past few years so Gavin has worked with some of his new players previously.

“I know the vast majority of the players, especially some of the younger ones form the national team. I know about the rest of them as well because they beat us at United twice last year so I’m well aware of the whole squad and how good they are”.

Another familiar face for Beith will be his co-Manager Emma Hunter who he is looking forward to working alongside.

“I’ve known Emma for a number of years and she has done a fantastic job here already. I think we’ll complement each other really well and can have really good working relationship. I’m really looking forward to working with her and the job she has done here has been absolutely incredible. We’ve got a great bunch of players here and we’ll be looking to progress and compete really well in SWPL1”.

Last season’s SWPL1 runners-up Celtic visit the Balmoral Stadium on Sunday for what will be Beith’s first game in the dugout. Although they have been handed a tough start, the new co-manager feels the squad can do well in their first season in the top flight.

“When you’re stepping up you don’t know the league and your opponents but at the same time you can’t underestimate yourself. The girls will know their roles and if they go and perform consistently then they can do well. The girls have got used to winning for the last two years and they’ve done it really so well so we want to keep doing that but they’ll be coming up against much tougher opposition so it will be a real challenge to keep doing that”.