Source: Team_Talk
Calderwood slams tepid Dons
The Dons lost on penalties in a quarter-final replay against First Division Dunfermline at Pittodrie.
Goalkeeper Paul Gallacher was the hero for the Pars as he saved spot-kicks from Aberdeen skipper Scott Severin and Richard Foster to book a place in the semi-finals against local rivals Falkirk.
Calderwood said his side, who lost at the semi-final stage to Queen of the South last season, were simply not good enough on the night.
"It is another crushing disappointment," said the Dons boss after the game.
"We have let our supporters down again. We just didn't have the form on the night and I don't think we played well enough.
"Obviously if we had got an early goal it would have helped calm the nerves but we should still have been good enough to go on and win it.
"But that is the second time in a year that we have let the club and the supporters down badly and it is very disappointing.
"We warned the players before the game that they could be hurting by the end of the match if they didn't perform to their best.
"That is now two games where we were massive favourites and we never took it. We are just going to have to get on with it.
"We have got to go to Easter Road and face Hibs on Saturday and try to win the game."
Dunfermline boss Jim McIntyre felt his players had matched their more illustrious opposition at Pittodrie.
"I thought we were every bit as good as Aberdeen tonight," he said. "I didn't think there was a lot between the sides but I thought my experienced players like Scott Thomson, Scott Wilson, Stephen Glass and Alex Burke were absolutely superb.
"I'm so proud of all of them."
McIntyre also singled out goalkeeper Gallacher for praise after his inspirational performance.
"In my eyes Paul Gallacher is a Premier League goalkeeper and he really produced on the night," he said. "The guys that took the penalties also handled the pressure.
"We have a local derby against Falkirk to look forward to now but we have a few important league games to focus on before that.
"But tonight is not about the league. I thought my boys were superb."
