Aaron aiming to live up to Big Sam’s billing
Aaron Doran was once described as a “tremendous prospect” by ex-England boss Sam Allardyce when the pair were together at Blackburn Rovers.
But the 27-year-old Irishman would be the first to admit that his career hasn’t quite lived up to the hype – due largely to a cruel run of injuries that have sidelined him for months at a time.
But Doran believes that he can still fulfil all his glittering potential by helping Inverness to a second Scottish Cup triumph, four years after the club’s won their firstever national silverware.
Having fired Caley Thistle ahead with a spectacular goal against local rivals Ross County seven days ago, Doran is flexing his muscles for Tuesday’s replay.
Even though he claims the 2-2 draw at the Global Energy Stadium felt like a defeat after the Staggies twice came from behind to snatch a stoppage-time leveller, Doran is still fancying a quarter-final crack at Dundee United.
He insisted: “Ross County are clear of us in the Championship, but they are not a better side.
“The only difference is they have been taking their chances and we have not, and we are not seeing games out.
“What Ross County are doing, we should be doing because we are a good team that creates good chances.
“We just need to be better everywhere, from the front to the back, in the last few minutes of games.
“But we get to go again on Tuesday and with home advantage we will be looking to win after being a bit more clinical against County.
“It’s a good draw and gives us a chance to get through to the semifinals. We play some nice football and we are confident in our ability.”
There were fears that Doran’s injury jinx had struck yet again the Global Energy Stadium when he had to be substituted late on.
But he added: “It was just a little niggle. I felt my groin a little bit, but I’m OK. “That’s three goals in three games and I just want to keep it going and score as many as I can before the end of the season.”