The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Exit leaves Dens boss devastated
McPake proud but disappointed as Dons advance
Dundee boss James McPake insists his players fully deserved to have won their Betfred Cup tie with Aberdeen at Dens yesterday.
The Dark Blues had hit the post before they were awarded a penalty just before half-time, which Danny Johnson calmly stroked home.
The home side were well on top against Derek McInnes’s Premiership side but right at the death, Andy Considine equalised for the Dons.
Sam Cosgrove netted in the first period of extra time to leave the Dundee players absolutely gutted while Aberdeen celebrated a barelymerited reprieve. And McPake admitted he was devastated for his team and the fans.
He said: “There is pride but I expect my players to be like that because I know them and I signed them.
“I am devastated for them and the fans.”
McPake added: “When you are a player and you have put that much effort in – but let’s not just talk about the effort, the quality was there as well.
“Over the 90 minutes, we deserved to win the game of football.
“I think a second goal would have been enough as we were so dominant in the game.
“A second goal would have allowed us to control the game a bit better.
“All the supporters ask when a Dundee team goes out on that pitch is they give absolutely everything and, to a man, they did today.”
Dons boss McInnes said: “I need to applaud Dundee.
“I watched them last Saturday and not only did we have to deal with a team motivated, playing with confidence and who had prepared all week, they were certainly ready for it.
“It was a real dagger to the hearts of the Dundee players late on and we looked more equipped to get the second goal and, once we got it, we managed to get over the line without too much fuss.
“Dundee gave us a right game and made it difficult for us. Cup games are all about finding a way to win and my players deserve so much praise for that.
“A lot of people would have taken pleasure in seeing us go out of the cup and I have a lot of pleasure in seeing my team go through.”
Meanwhile, McPake is edging closer to completing a loan move for highly-rated Rangers youngster Josh McPake.
The 17-year-old winger was in the stands at Dens watching the Aberdeen game and the manager admitted a deal could be concluded soon.
He added: “Hopefully, yes, if we can get him to agree. If we can get the deal done, then great.”
Kane Hemmings missed the cup game, with McPake saying: “Kano had a little niggle and we possibly could have risked him but I wasn’t going to do it.
“It was a very important game but I wasn’t willing to risk losing Kane Hemmings for six weeks for the sake of one game.
“So I would rather get him right and fit for the games coming up.”