Brotherly advice for Aitken is key to Stranraer upset hopes

Stranraer caretaker manager Chris Aitken has taken tips from big brother Stevie in a bid to cause a major Scottish Cup upset at Aberdeen today.

Aitken will take charge of the fourth-round match at Pittodrie after Brian Reid left on Monday with the club rooted to the bottom of League 1.

Aitken has asked sibling and Dumbarton manager Stevie for advice and said: “I have been picking his brain over the past week, thinking about formations to play and what sort of things Aberdeen might do.

“That’s been good as it’s all relatively new to me. I’ve usually got the easy role of organising the warm-up and backing the manager up, but for this game it’s me who’s doing it all.

“We’ll try to go and enjoy it because there’s no pressure on us. Hopefully the players can express themselves.

“We’re massive underdogs, there’s a gulf in the leagues, but anything can happen and we have to believe we can perform on this stage.”

Stranraer yesterday confirmed Stevie Farrell will become the club’s new manager after the weekend and Aitken is delighted with the appointment of the Dumbarton assistantmanager.

He said: “I don’t like to see anyone lose their job and it was unfortunate what happened to Brian.

“But I spoke to Stevie and he asked me to be his assistant manager so from that point of view I’m really pleased.

“I played under Stevie for a few years at Stranraer and he is definitely the best coach I’ve worked with and I’m looking forward to learning many new things off him.”