Teenager debut earns praise from Sheerin

Paul Sheerin gave Calvin Ramsay pass marks after watching the aberdeen teenager impress on his first top team examination.

The 17-year-old full-back was handed his first start for the Dons as they scraped past Dumbarton 1-0 to reach the last 16 of the Scottish Cup.

There was concern midway through the second half when the youngster went down injured. However, Reds caretaker boss Sheerin is hopeful Ramsay, inset, was merely suffering from cramp as he insisted the Pittodrie academy graduate should be proud of the way he performed against the Sons on his full debut.

"He grew into the game. He loves going forward but maybe he needs to tighten up defensively at times - but all young players do as they learn the game. He's a confident lad and loves getting on the ball and putting crosses into the box. I thought he did that really well, first half especially, plenty crosses into the box. For a full debut it was a decent one."

Callum Hendry climbed off the bench to fire just the second Dons' goal in 11 games as the mis-firing Premiership outfit dodged a major upset against Jim Duffy's League One part-timers. Sons keeper Sam Ramsbottom was in inspired form on his 25th birthday but there was no icing on the cake for Dumbarton as they bowed out. Speaking to the club's website, Ramsbottom said: "It's not every day you get the chance to create a shock result on your birthday. We tried to hang on in there but they got the better of us in the end."