Monday 11th January 2016
DUMBARTON manager Stevie Aitken says his squad have been buoyed by Saturday’s big Scottish Cup win against Queen of the South, and want to take that energy straight back into the Championship campaign.
“It was a long week for us, because we were basically back onto the park. I think the players deserve every credit, because I thought from the word go they were outstanding and deserved their victory in the Cup,” he told reporters.
While Aitken stressed the whole side’s performance and commitment to one another in the fourth round Scottish Cup triumph – “it was a team effort from start to finish” – there was also a special word for match winner Garry Fleming.
“Garry’s been a talisman, he stays local, he knows a lot of people, he’s been terrific and he was captain in Darren Barr’s absence. So it was a fitting way to cap the display, with two goals. We’re delighted for him, as well,” the boss declared.
He continued: “We were up against it in terms of players out for one reason or another, but the ones that played were great.
“I’m not sure there are many teams that would bounce back like we have. That’s twice we’ve done it. We lost four at Ibrox, and we came back and won the next game. Then we lost six last week and won again. That shows the spirit in our dressing room.”
Simon Barrow