But the former Stranraer man believes he can still to do his bit to help the Cappielow club progress at the Sons’ expense by giving them the inside scoop on Stevie Aitken and his former Stair Park pals.

Aitken was appointed as Ian Murray’s replacement at the Cheaper Insurance Direct Stadium this summer, taking Blues players Grant Gallagher and Willie Gibson with him.

McKeown, who is out with a calf strain, knows the trio inside out and says he will be giving out tips in the Ton dressing room today.

He told the Tele: “I’ve got a calf injury. I was out doing a bit of running during the close season, before we came back in for pre-season. I always do my own bit so I come back fit.

“It was on the Wednesday night before we actually started on the Friday that the calf popped. I just couldn’t believe it.

“It looked like it was only going to be maybe the first 10 days out injured. Unfortunately, it went again.

“The thing is, I don’t get injured; I think in the last four years I’ve missed about four games or something, so it’s just been bad luck.

“I was feeling a bit down last week, but we played Kilmarnock in a bounce game and I saw somebody on crutches and thought: ‘D’you know what, it could worse’.

“I’ve had a good week this week. I started kind of doing a lot of pre-season stuff with Alyson [Fielding] the physio.

“Because I’ve already had that one set-back, I don’t really want to put a time on it, but I don’t think I’m a million miles away, that’s for sure.” The 28-year-old added: “Today is going to be frustrating, though, absolutely. Every footballer wants to play, especially at the start of the season.

“And it’s going to be frustrating watching from the sidelines because I know a lot of boys at Dumbarton, including my old manager.

“I think they’ve tinkered with a 4-2-3-1 and then went back to a 4-4-2 a couple of nights ago.

“They will be hard to beat and they’ll press really quick and high.

“There will be a couple of things I can pass on about the players because I played with Grant Gallagher, Willie Gibson, Mark Docherty and Scott Taggart.

“Some are my mates outside of the game, like Jordan Kirkpatrick, Kevin Cawley and Gary Fleming, so I know the way they play too.” McKeown played under Aitken for three seasons at Stranraer, and he reckons the former Ton midfielder will prove an excellent appointment for the Sons.

He explained: “Stevie’s obviously a very young manager and hasn’t had too long in the management game, but from the time I worked with him I can’t be anything but complimentary.

“He’s one of those managers who leaves no stone unturned. He’s an absolute perfectionist, doesn’t miss anything and just wants things done right, part-time or full-time.

“He’s a very good man-manager, and he’s also a mate. I played with him at Arthurlie, so I know him outside the game.

“And when I speak about Stevie I also have to mention the assistant Stevie Farrell, who is also different class and probably the best coach I’ve worked under.

“So Dumbarton certainly have a good management team. I think they’ll probably go on to bigger things from there. And hopefully they do well — just not against us!”