Peterhead manager Jim McInally is unsurprised by the impact Sean Dillon has made at Montrose.
The former Dundee United captain has played every minute for the Gable Endies in their unbeaten start to the season in League Two, where they sit second with 10 points from four games.
McInally tried to sign the 34-year-old Irishman when he left the Tangerines in the summer but the defender opted for Links Park instead of Balmoor.
McInally, whose side host Montrose this afternoon, said: “They have a lot of experience with Sean Dillon at the back.
“He has been a big help to them which is why we tried to sign him.
“I felt we had a good chance of signing him in the summer but he chose Montrose.
“There is no hard feelings. He was a nice guy but hopefully we can get one over him this weekend.
“Montrose have made a brilliant start to the season.
“They won at Annan Athletic and then they defeated Ayr United on penalties in the IRN-BRU Cup.
“That was no mean feat considering they are full time team.
“They will come to Balmoor full of confidence.
“We know what to expect.
“They are going to be in fine fettle.
“We just have to fight fire with fire and if we do that I am confident we can win the game.”
After defeats against Stenhousemuir and Stirling Albion, the Blue Toon returned to winning ways with a 2-0 success against Annan Athletic in the IRN-BRU Cup.
McInally added: “We got back to the basics last week against Annan.
“Rory McAllister is back to full fitness which is good.
“We are going to be without Jamie Stevenson, David McCracken, Nicky Riley, Mikael Dikobo and Samson Gabriel this weekend.
“So we aren’t at full strength but we still have a strong enough team to get the result we are looking for.”