AITKEN URGES SONS TO SET CUP ANGUISH ASIDE
DUMBARTON boss Stephen Aitken says his players cannot afford to feel sorry for themselves if they are to stand any chance of pulling Inverness back into the relegation play-off spot. The Sons were heartbroken in Saturday’s Irn-Bru Cup final at McDiarmid Park when Carl Tremarco’s last-minute goal for Caley Thistle saw the chance of silverware swiped from their grasp. Aitken’s men can still gain revenge, however, by making up the four points which separate the teams in the Championship table. Brechin are already relegated, so it looks like being a dogfight between the pair to avoid the ignominy of a play-off match with a League One promotion chaser. The battle continues tonight, with Inverness hosting Dundee United while Dumbarton face a daunting trip to the home of champions-elect St Mirren. Now Aitken has told his men to put their cup pain behind them. ‘The players gave the club everything and should be proud of their performance in what was a terrific occasion for the people of Dumbarton,’ said Aitken. ‘Of course, it was emotional afterwards as we felt we had done enough to give ourselves the chance of winning in extra-time, but we switched off for a second and we were punished. ‘We must look to move on quickly and going away to the team that will win the league is as tough a game as we could ask for. ‘However, we know that we need to get points on the board to overtake Inverness in the league and that is the priority now. ‘You can’t feel sorry for yourself in football. If you do, you will make matters worse. Staying in the Championship is still a massive prize for this club to win.’ St Mirren assistant boss James Fowler anticipates a fevered response from Dumbarton this evening as the Paisley side seek the win that will put them a whopping 14 points in front of second-placed Livingston. ‘They’ll be disappointed at not winning a cup as we felt the same a year ago when we lost to Dundee United in the final,’ he said. ‘Dumbarton will be looking to pull themselves closer to Inverness.’