JIM Duffy holds Forfar frontman Gavin Swankie in such high regard that he signed him for Dundee — but still insisted his defenders should have dealt with him far better than they did on Saturday.

Duffy swooped to sign Swankie from Arbroath in the summer of 2005 during his second stint in the Dens Park hotseat.

But despite his long-standing admiration for the forward’s abilities, the Ton boss was critical of the way his side failed to cope with the 30-year-old, allowing him to score twice and lay on another.

He told the Tele: “Gavin Swankie was a real threat. He’s a good, good player and has played at a high level.

“He was terrific for St Johnstone and Dundee. I actually signed Gavin for Dundee from Arbroath many years ago, so I knew all about him. I’m not taking anything away from him, but we should have been able to deal with situations far better than we did on Saturday. If you look at the goals they were poor.

“Their front players, Dale Hilson and Swankie, in particular, gave our defence as difficult a game as they’ve have had all season.

“And that includes playing Premiership sides in St Mirren and Partick Thistle. Forfar’s front two gave our backline a torrid time.

“That’s as poor as we’ve played defensively, and if you’re poor defensively you can’t expect to come away with anything.” Meanwhile, Cappielow plays host to an International Challenge Match tonight as Scotland’s Under-19 side face their Czech Republic counterparts.

Greenock footballer Ryan Sinnamon, a right-back who plays for Rangers, has been named in Ricky Sbragia’s squad.

Gate prices for the fixture, which kicks off at 7pm, are set at £5 for adults, with children under-16 admitted free of charge.