Dowie out to make memories with Son
ANDY Dowie is desperate to enjoy a father and son moment as he bids to steer Dumbarton into the final of the Irn-Bru Cup this evening.
The Sons skipper played a key role when Ross County won the tournament in 2006, when he scored the equaliser against Clyde as the Staggies went on to lift the trophy after a penalty shoot-out.
The 34-year-old is fully aware he and his part-time team-mates are firmly up against it as they bid to overcome Welsh outfit The New Saints, who have played Champions League football in the last six successive seasons.
However, the former Rangers, Partick Thistle, Dunfermline and Queen of the South man is determined to give seven-year-old son Andrew a day to remember by upsetting the odds in Wales.
He said: “I won the Challenge Cup with Ross County when we beat Clyde at McDiarmid Park.
“I know from that day that it’s great for the club, it’s great for the players and it’s great for your family to be able to come along and watch. It’s a fantastic day. I’ve got a young son, Andrew, who’s seven years old and loves football, and I would love for him to be able to see his dad play in a cup final.
“There are loads of different reasons why it would be great for us to get through to this cup final and we’re looking forward to that possibility.”
Dumbarton exited the Scottish Cup last weekend against Morton and have slipped to the relegation play-off spot in ninth in the Championship after a winless run of seven league games.
And Dowie is convinced the boost of reaching the final would spark a revival that could also lead the Sons to league safety. He added: “We’re really looking forward to the game. It’s the first time that Dumbarton have reached this stage and it’s a great chance to get into the final.
“It’s going to be a difficult game but it’s one we believe we can win and the boys will be really up for it. Hopefully a victory and getting through to a final could see an upturn in league form also.”