But that's been far from the case for the Dens manager, who is embracing all that the Scottish Championship has to offer. "I think the managers in this league have been brilliant, " he added. "I have really enjoyed spending time in their company and listening to some of the stories. "I think Dick [Campbell] has got the most stories but I've loved listening to them and learning from them about Scottish football and the different places to go to. "Bowyer and Arbroath counterpart Dick Campbell share a laugh on the touchlineSo far, it's working.
The 'anorak' leading Dundee's promotion chargeGary Bowyer's Dundee sit second in the Championship, a point behind Queen's Park with a game in handScottish Championship: Greenock Morton v DundeeVenue: Cappielow Park Date: Friday, 17 February Time: 19:45 GMTCoverage: Watch live on BBC Scotland and the BBC Sport website and app"I am a mad football fan, first and foremost. "Self-confessed 'football anorak' Gary Bowyer wasn't a name well kenned by many fans north of the border a year ago. Despite a CV that included Blackburn Rovers and Blackpool, it was still a surprise when the Englishman pitched up at Dens Park last summer. Yet, unlike some before him, Bowyer has immersed himself in all Scotland has to offer - particularly the football culture. "There are more clubs I would like to get out to see, and different grounds, " he told BBC Scotland prior to Dundee's visit to Greenock Morton on Friday night.
"I think my first game was Alloa away. That was a fantastic setting and a fantastic night. "In fact, the 51-year-old has already squeezed a fair bit of ground-hopping into his nine months up the road. "I went to Morton for the first time not so long ago. I enjoyed going to Raith's ground and the old stand there, it has just got a history about the place, " he said. "I've been to Arbroath, Stenhousemuir, down to Dunfermline to watch them. I went up to Inverness - that was brilliant for me, just going up there. "And going to watch 'them' across the road - Dundee United - when they played in Europe. "Initially, Bowyer may have been forgiven for having trepidations about the move - after all, many players and coaches before him have travelled north and failed to adapt to the Scottish game.
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