Hard to see past the Dons for cup glory, says Sheerin

ARBROATH BOSS Paul Sheerin not only played for Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Aberdeen, he also knows the managers who will chase Scottish League Cup glory on Sunday as he was a teammate of them both.

Sheerin said: “John Hughes a nd Der e k McInnes both have a great desire to win things and it will be a terrific challenge between them.

“I cannot see past Aberdeen but it is a one-off and there is not a great deal between the sides.

“However, if I am forced to pick a winner, I will go for Derek and Aberdeen.”

The Gayfield gaffer’s view will disappoint Caley boss Hughes, who was a team-mate in a League Cup final, as Sheerin explained: “I played with Yogi at Ayr United and we were in the team that faced Rangers in the 2002 final.

“He was a big character, as you would imagine, but he was always good with young players.

“He was good to them in terms of passing on advice and tips and he was great to have about the club.”

Sheerin admitted he loved being a Don and added: “Aberdeen are the biggest club I was at during my career.

“They have an amazing fan base and bringing over 40,000 to Sunday’s final shows just what a great club they are.

“I was disappointed to be released by Jimmy Calderwood, but in saying that, if I was not released then I may not have had six great years at St Johnstone.”

The time at Perth saw Sheerin link up with McInnes and he saw a manager in him from an early stage.

He said: “Derek was a terrific team-mate and was a definite for management from an early age.

“He wants to be a winner and was probably born that way.”

Paul Sheerin.