Source: FOOTYMAD
Dons Break The Pattern To Head To Paisley
No trip up against a lower league side this time around for the Dons Aberdeen avoid another embarrassing cup exit at the hands of lower-league opposition on Saturday but only just. They left it till the last possible minute to progress against Dunfermline, thanks to an own goal by Neil McGregor. Captain Paul Hartley was not the only one relieved to see the ball hit the back of the net as he is sick of hearing about the Dons losing to lower league opposition. In recent seasons the Dons have been dumped out of cup competitions by the likes of Queen of the South, Raith Rovers and Dundee. The Dons will now face a trip to Paisley against St Mirren in the quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup and Hartley believes that represents a decent draw for the Pittodrie side. The Aberdeen captain said: "I'm fed up hearing about the teams like Queen of the South and Raith Rovers that have beaten Aberdeen. There has been a bit of a change this season and the mentality has been different. We have managed to get through these games. We are pleased we are in the quarter-finals and we feel that we have a good draw away to St Mirren. It's going to be a difficult match but we will fancy our chances against anyone. The incentive is there to try to get to another semi-final and hopefully we will be good enough on the day." Hartley admitted the Dons were not at their best as they struggled to win against a stubborn Pars team. He said: "They had nothing to lose as all the pressure was on us. We stuck at it and it's great to get through and avoid a replay. Sometimes when you get to cup finals you need to go through games like that where you might not be at your best. The boys worked ever so hard and gave absolutely everything and we got the reward in the end." Dunfermline's Kevin Rutkiewicz was disappointed his debut game for his new club ended in defeat. However, the defender, on loan from St Johnstone, says the Pars can now concentrate fully on their First Division title challenge. He said: "I think we gave a good account of ourselves against Aberdeen and it was harsh to concede a goal in the last minute. It is a blow to be out of the cup but we have a title to win and if we approach our league games in the manner that we approached this game then I think we will be there or thereabouts." Rutkiewicz is hopeful he can play a key part in helping Dunfermline win promotion to the top flight. He said: "I needed to get games and hopefully if I can keep my place I can bring experience to the team as we hopefully go towards this title. I have been there before with St Johnstone and it is a great feeling if come the end of the season you have achieved something as good as that. The romance of the cup is great and we are disappointed to go out but there is a bigger prize at stake for us. I would much rather play Aberdeen four times a season in the league than the odd time in the cup." Editor Ger Harley (ger@scottishfitba net)Admin Team (admin@scottishfitba net)This is Scottish-Fitba Net
