what the managers said
Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes praised his players for their focus in seeing off William Hill Scottish Cup opponents Dumbarton, as the Dons fans reached fever pitch ahead of next weekend’s League Cup final against Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
Adam Rooney’s goal early in the second period proved decisive as the Dons overcame the stern resistance of Ian Murray’s side to claim a 1-0 win, with McInnes conceding a tough game was always on the cards.
In praising the Championship side, McInnes said “Dumbarton have averaged two goals a game away from home this season. You can see the threat they’ve got – they’ve a good level of player and good organisation about them, but we thoroughly deserved the win.
“One or two injuries affected Dumbarton, but they kept going and had a great chance at the end through Paul McGinn.
“There was always a need for concentration and professionalism, but I don’t think anyone could deny we deserved to win the game. We’d have liked it to be more comfortable, but we’re in the draw and the players deserve huge credit for getting us into another semi-final.”
There was praise, too, for goalscorer Rooney, who took his Dons tally to six in eight games.
McInnes continued: “I felt we weren’t using him the right way in the first half, but he’s the type of striker who won’t settle for not scoring. He never let his head go down and kept getting into the right areas. We felt Adam in this team would be able to convert chances, and he’s doing exactly that.”
Dumbarton boss Murray beamed with pride for the way his players performed given the opportunity of a big stage to perform on.
The Sons lie mid-table in the Championship, but are knocking on the door of a playoff spot, and Murray said: “The players were excellent. You could see how many boys had wee niggles and played on through it.
“We have to be delighted with them. We came up here hoping to do ourselves justice in terms of performing to a level we think they can play at, and they did that. They’ve exceeded expectations from the outside all season, but we’ve always said we have a good squad.
“Today was a good, good test for them and they stood up to it.”
Murray’s side could have snatched a late leveller when full-back Paul McGinn headed over the crossbar.
Murray added: “It was a big chance at the end and if we’d sneaked a goal I think we could have seen it out for a replay.
“He’s devastated with himself but I know as a full-back, your strength isn’t scoring headers in the last couple of minutes of a Scottish Cup tie! We’ll cut him a bit of slack.
“Paul’s an excellent player. He’s stood up to a very good player in Johnny Hayes, and he came through the test magnificently well. He’ll be gutted because that miss will be on Sportscene and I’m sure his brothers [St Mirren’s John and Sheffield United’s Stephen] will give him a bit of stick, but overall it was an excellent performance.”
“Paul’s an excellent player. He’s stood up to a very good player in Johnny Hayes, and he came through the test magnificently well. He’ll be gutted because that miss will be on Sportscene and I’m sure his brothers [St Mirren’s John and Sheffield United’s Stephen] will give him a bit of stick, but overall it was an excellent performance.”
“Paul’s an excellent player. He’s stood up to a very good player in Johnny Hayes, and he came through the test magnificently well. He’ll be gutted because that miss will be on Sportscene and I’m sure his brothers [St Mirren’s John and Sheffield United’s Stephen] will give him a bit of stick, but overall it was an excellent performance.”
