Mcinnes scoffs fitness worries ahead of clash
Derek Mcinnes has backed his big guns to prove their fitness and fire against Rangers after a potentially costly win at Hibs.
Key men Joe Lewis and Sam Cosgrove were both crocked in the first half at Easter Road, casting doubt on their availability for Wednesday night’s huge clash with the Gers.
But their manager last night played down fears, insisting both are in the running, albeit with Lewis the more likely of the two.
“I’m hoping both have a chance,” he said.
“Joe’s got a nasty gash above his eye but he’s absolutely fine.
“The medical staff felt he was going to have to get it stitched and it was going to take a long time. “Obviously it’s not ideal, but Joe seems eager to play.
“Sam, I think it’s been the consequence of training on hard pitches with the weather. “We have been indoors a lot, and maybe even the other night on Astroturf at Stenhousemuir, his back just went into a spasm.
“He felt it a bit on Thursday and hopefully it can be something we can work on. “Hopefully it can disappear as quickly as it came.
“He certainly feels positive about Wednesday but we’ll see where everybody is. “He needs a wee bit of TLC and a lot of things to go his way to be ready for Wednesday.” Mcinnes, ever the pragmatist, is normally inclined to play down big matches, particularly in the league.
But he was in bullish mood at full-time yesterday, admitting he saw Wednesday’s clash as an opportunity to take a bite out of Rangers. “These two league games, today and Rangers, could prove pivotal to where we are,” said the Dons boss. “When you play teams in and around you at any stage, but particularly when there are only 14 games to go, the benefit of winning those games is huge.
“It’s an opportunity to do a bit of damage.
“But Rangers will see it exactly the same way.” Questioned on Scott Mckenna’s fitness, Mcinnes insisted his star centre-half was still a week to 10 days away from returning. However, Easter Road goal hero Andy Considine was more optimistic that Mckenna could play a part against Rangers.
“Joe Lewis had a couple of stitches put in above his eye and I’d be hopeful he’ll be OK for Wednesday,” he said.
“Hopefully we’ll have Scott Mckenna back, too, and Mikey Devlin won’t be far behind. “We’ve been down to the bare bones at the back.”