The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
O’hara relieved Dee still in the cup
Midfielder glad Dark Blues have second bite at the cherry in Inverness
Mark O’hara could have been forgiven for experiencing a sinking feeling of déjà vu on Saturday.
This time last year, he was in a Dundee side that faced Championship opposition at home in the Scottish Cup in the shape of a struggling St Mirren side.
The Dark Blues were strong favourites having disposed of St Johnstone in the league in their last game before the winter break. However, ring-rusty Dundee were caught cold by the Buddies, losing 2-0 to crash out of the cup.
Fast forward to this weekend and again the Dark Blues were at Dens against a side from the Championship, Inverness, and spookily their last game before the break had been a win over St Johnstone.
Once more, Dundee conceded and survived a succession of Inverness chances but this time they equalised and then took the lead through O’hara only to be pulled back at the death.
The 22-year-old midfielder though is just relieved that unlike last season, his side have a second bite at the cherry in the replay in the Highlands.
He said: “Last year showed the full effects of it (the break) and the manager has done everything he can this season to make sure it didn’t happen again.
“We have been in most days and had a practice game last week to try to avoid any slackness.
“I think it still showed a bit in the first half although we gained some sharpness in the second 45.
“We have a replay but we have to take the positives as it could have been a lot worse. Last year it was devastating to be put out at this stage but this time we have a chance to put things right up in Inverness.
“It was quite a cup tie but on reflection it was pretty disappointing from us.
“First half we weren’t at it and simply weren’t good enough. We managed to get ourselves into the lead but it is still disappointing that we have a replay now.”
O’hara is under no illusions about just how tricky the game in the Highlands will be.
He said: “We know it is going to be tough. I have played up there before many times and it is always a difficult game, especially in midweek.
“So we will have to be right at it and a lot sharper than we were today especially in the first half.
“Elliott (goalie Parish) saved us a few times especially one on ones but hopefully we can learn from this game and make sure we start right.”
Dundee were certainly slow out of the starting blocks but improved as the game progressed. Poor defending, however, cost them dear at both goals.
The Dark Blues conceded in just the 14th minute, failing to defend a long throw by Brad Mckay from the right with the ball falling for Aaron Doran who shot past Parish to give Inverness the lead.
The home side struggled to recover from that early blow and found it hard to break down the Inverness defence although a Sofien Moussa header did hit the underside of the Highlanders’ crossbar in the 35th minute.
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We will have to be right at it andalot sharper than we were today. MARK O’HARA
A-jay Leitch-smith then had a great chance when he was teed up by Scott Allan but Caley keeper Mark Ridgers made a superb save.
It was Inverness who finished the half strongly with two great chances for Doran and then George Oakley.
Dundee equalised just three minutes after the restart when a Leitch-smith shot was deflected past Ridgers with Moussa credited with getting the final touch.
Parish then came to the rescue with a vital save from a Connor Bell header before the Dark Blues took the lead with a stunning goal.
O’hara embarked on a rampaging run from halfway before unleashing a low shot from the edge of the Inverness box past the despairing Ridgers.
It looked like being the winning goal but in the 88th minute, Oakley capitalised on Dundee defensive hesitation to stab home to make it 2-2 and take the tie to a replay.
O’hara admitted that after his latest goal for the club, he has set his sights on reaching double figures this season.
He said: “I had a couple of chances before but I tried to slip boys in.
“So as soon as I got it, there was only one thing in my mind – I was going to shoot. Thankfully it paid off.
“That’s six goals for the season now so long may that continue and I can get into double figures.”
While delighted with his goal, O’hara was disappointed with the ones Dundee conceded.
He added: “I think they were both very preventable. The manager said that and we will look over them and try to put things right.”
nrobertson@thecourier.co.uk