The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Dods likely to be forced into action for trip north
BRECHIN CITY: Injuries and suspensions prompt manager to pull on boots again
Brechin City manager Darren Dods may have to pull on the boots one more time.
The Glebe Park side go into tonight’s clash with Inverness Caledonian Thistle on the back of a 3-0 defeat to Falkirk, which was made worse by red cards for Sean Crighton and Paul Mclean.
Dods, 42, who last played in January last year, said: “It’s been a while since I’ve played but I think that’s what it’ll have to be.
“That’s life. We just have to get on with it.”
Dods is determined that his team will put in a good performance in the absence of Crighton, Maclean and a few others.
He said: “It was shaping up as a tough week anyway as we were away to Falkirk, up at Inverness and then have St Mirren to face this Saturday.
“It will obviously be harder now as we are without two more players after their red cards.
“Long midweek trips are difficult for part-time teams in a full-time league but we will look to go out with a bang and end our season on a high, starting at Inverness.”
Dods added: “We know what our fate is but it is important to try and end our season well.
“We knew that this season would be challenging, and it has actually been more challenging than we had thought. However we can play without any pressure.”
As well as having Crighton and Mclean banned, Dods is without the injured Ryan Mcgeever, Craig Storie and Andy Jackson.
The good news is Euan Spark returns from suspension.
Caley Thistle boss John Robertson has warned his side any slackness will be punished in tonight’s game.
Inverness were run close in a 3-2 win at Glebe Park in December, and Robertson says his players cannot show any complacency.
He said: “This is a tricky one because everybody makes massive reference to the fact Brechin have not won a game.
“We have had to earn all nine points against Brechin this season – especially in the last game. We started great but then suddenly we were behind at halftime and went down to 10 men.
“We had to dig it out and we are going to have to do the same again. We have warned the players they have to be switched on.”
Dunfermline are also in action tonight when they host play-off rivals Livingston and Fraser Aird is keen to keep his place in the Pars line-up.
The former Rangers winger netted a double in a 4-0 win over Manchester United’s under-23 side last week to earn himself a rare start against Queen of the South at the weekend.
The Canada internationalist then sparked a vital 3-1 victory against the Doonhamers to put them back in the promotion hunt in fourth spot.
The 23-year-old, who started for the first time since November 25, said: “Obviously I was delighted I got a chance to get back in the team at the weekend. It’s been a while coming.
“I thought I played well and the manager thought I played well. I know myself I did well and it was nice to get an assist for the first goal and to take part in the game.”