McInally’s concern ahead of midweek Dundee clash

Peterhead manager Jim McInally admitted his players are still some way short of fitness after Stirling ended the Blue Toon’s progression hopes in the Betfred Cup.

McInally said: “It is disappointing, first and foremost, that we cannot qualify even though it was quite a long shot.

“We have done so well in this cup in the last couple of years, but watching the game, we looked out on our feet.

“When we did not score early on, you think those chances could come back to haunt you and that was what happened.

“Peter MacDonald and Mark Stewart are good class forwards and they gave our two young centre-backs a bit of a lesson in strength and movement.

“Stirling seemed to play with a freedom because they knew they could not qualify and we looked like a team trying to chase something.

“I am trying to write it off a bit because we were leggy and some of the lads are playing catch-up but if we perform like that against Dundee in midweek we could get a hiding.”

Peterhead have yet to score in any of their three group games, something which niggles McInally ahead of, what will now be, a meaningless match against the Dark Blues.

The Blue Toon boss said: “It is horrible and I was well aware that we had not scored while watching the game.

“You cannot win football matches if you do not score goals but we will get there and you would probably be a bit worried if the players were peaking at this time.

“In the last two seasons, we have had really good cup runs and not started the best in the league but you can see the competition there will be up front and I think that augurs well.”