RED-HOT SAM’S IN DEMAND
Dons boss reveals MLS clubs are interested in star striker Cosgrove
SAM COSGROVE bagged his 21st goal of the season to send Aberdeen through to the fifth round of the Scottish Cup, and his manager Derek McInnes confirmed that the striker’s imperious form has caught the attention of New York Red Bulls.
Cosgrove is already on the radar of Leeds United and a host of other English Championship clubs, but he will not be allowed to leave Pittodrie on the cheap. McInnes hinted that the 23-year-old should be aiming for higher than the MLS.
McInnes said: ‘I’m led to believe they have been watching him and I’m led to believe he is a player of interest. But there has been no offers or conversations with our chairman about that so far.
‘Whether we anticipate offers or whatever that might well come in, I don’t think the MLS is the next destination for Sam but we don’t know until we get an offer.’
This was a difficult afternoon against Dumbarton, who were determined and organised in defence. Aberdeen peppered the visiting part-time defence, but it wasn’t until Cosgrove took things into his own hands, winning a late penalty and converting it, that the breakthrough came.
McInnes has already signed St Johnstone winger Matty Kennedy on a pre-contract, but he is looking to add to his frontline this window.
He said: ‘We had an attempt on Friday to get him here but he is
St Johnstone’s player and it’s up to them. We can only do what we can and I am pleased that we made an attempt to get him as we still lack a bit of speed in the team.
‘We need the creativity he can bring and, if we can’t get him now, we will look at bringing in others this month.
‘We are looking at others and we’ll get someone in to help during games like today when we need more creativity and penetration.’
McInnes also confirmed that the club have had a bid accepted for 18-year-old Ross County midfielder Mark Gallagher. The Dons boss added: ‘He’s a player we’ve watched against our own development team and are really impressed with him.’
Until Cosgove finally broke the deadlock, it was all Aberdeen. The hosts set up camp in the opposition half and Dumbarton’s only real effort of note was when PJ Crossan blazed over from 20 yards midway through the first half.
Dylan McGeouch impressed in his first showing in a red strip after signing from Sunderland. He anchored the Aberdeen midfield, dictating their tempo and his assurance and confidence on the ball was palpable, refusing to rush passes and orchestrating intricate moves.
He slipped in Connor McLennan for the game’s first chance, but the winger fluffed his lines. The midfielder then had a pop himself from 20 yards but it was comfortably held by Conor Brennan.
Niall McGinn must have lost count with the amount of chances he created from set-pieces that weren’t converted. Cosgrove headed wide and Ash Taylor missed the target with the best opening from deliveries in the opening period.
Bruce Anderson started up top alongside Cosgrove but couldn’t take the opportunity of a rare start. He hustled and harried but struggled for composure in front of goal, blazing over in the first half, slicing a decent opportunity well wide in the second and also forcing a decent stop from Brennan.
Andrew Considine saw a powerful header saved, Taylor passed up another opportunity and Brennan denied Cosgrove.
Scott McKenna, who was almost operating as a left winger in the final stages, missed the target with a header. All things pointed to a replay at the C&G Systems Stadium until Rico Quitongo made a hash of challenging Cosgrove.
The striker was trying to create an angle in the Dumbarton box when he drew a foul from the 20-year-old.
From the spot, Cosgrove made no mistake, striking it high into the net to Brennan’s left.
Sons boss Jim Duffy said: ‘Rico was devastated. He didn’t think there was contact and, if there was, it was minimal.
‘I thought Rico was outstanding, as was our back four. We had a good defensive shape and playing against Cosgrove was a real education for our two, young centre-halves.
‘Overall, Aberdeen deserved to win on the balance of play and the pressure they had.’