McGhee: I'll never forget shock exit

21 September 2010 17:21
Aberdeen manager Mark McGhee admits their shock Scottish Cup exit to Raith Rovers earlier this year will live with him forever.[LNB] Both clubs are preparing to do battle again in the Co-operative Insurance Cup.[LNB]The Dons suffered the infamous defeat back in February with McGhee describing the fifth-round replay as the worst result of his managerial career at the time, after revealing he was also spat on by a supporter on the night.[LNB]Now, as they prepare to play host to the Irn-Bru First Division side again, he does not expect the previous clash at Pittodrie to have an impact on this game but admits the fans have every right to demand a result this time.[LNB]"It's something that happened and it's not something I'm ever going to forget but it doesn't impact on me doing my job here now," said McGhee.[LNB]"The important thing now is that I'm working for our supporters to win football matches and our supporters badly want a cup run.[LNB]"We have an opportunity against a team from a lower division at home and therefore, rightly, our supporters should expect us to win that game.[LNB]"We are not taking it for granted and, after the last few years, they're maybe not taking it for granted, but they will still expect and we've got to go out and deliver.[LNB]"If we do that, I think there will be no issues."[LNB]McGhee believes his players will be largely unaffected by another meeting with Raith.[LNB]He added: "I think enough has changed that it won't be big in the memory for a lot of them.[LNB]"There are a lot who are not burdened by what happened last year and I hope that is the case. I certainly intend to make it that way and have been.[LNB]"This is a fresh game against a team who, like any other team, we will look at. I think they have improved since last year and we have to show them that we have improved.[LNB]"It's going to be a difficult game but we are an SPL club and I think our supporters should expect us to win the game. But we know we are going to have to work really hard to do that."[LNB]Asked if there is more mental toughness within his squad this season, McGhee said: "We have more of a unity about us that has given us more of a mental toughness.[LNB]"Individually, I don't know necessarily that this group of players have got any more mental toughness than the likes of Mark Kerr or Gary McDonald as individuals.[LNB]"But, certainly, we are more together than we were last year for most of the season and that has given us a better spirit and a better mentality to not be beaten and to keep going in games."

Source: Team_Talk