Friday 14th August 2015
DUMBARTON’s impending first ever visit to St Mirren FC’s new Greenhill Road stadium on 15th August sees Sons looking to build on last Saturday’s excellent win against Hibs.
Manager Stevie Aitken, who masterminded the Hibs win, is hopeful and realistic about taking his team to Paisley.
He said : “It’s a tough game to follow the Hibs match, they are one of the favourites for the promotion play-offs and they’ve made some good signings.
“That said, every game will be tough and I’m not really bothered about what order they come in to be honest.
“The players’ attitude has been superb at training this week, and they are starting to get to know each other on the pitch now.
“We have good players at the club and tomorrow’s game is another test, but as I’ve said, we have prepared well and we are keen to get the match played.”
The Saints match has an added twist in that Sons former manager Ian Murray is now in charge of the Paisley side.
After a two-year successful spell at the Cheaper Insurance Direct Stadium, Murray now has the job of managing the Buddies on a full-time basis.
Another familiar face to Sons fans is ex-player Scott Agnew, who wears jersey No 16 for his new side.
St Mirren kicked-off the Ladbrokes Championshiop season on Friday 7th Aug with a trip to Ibrox. They left Govan with no points and recorded a 3-1 defeat, with Cameron Howieson netting Saints goal.
Sons’ last encounter with the Buddies was a wholly forgettable experience at Love Street in Aug 2008.
Jim Chapman’s team lost 7-0 in a first round league cup tie.
The Dumbarton lined-up that day was D McEwan, G Lennon, G Wilson, M O’Byrne, B Gordon, R Clark, I Chisholm, R Logan (D Gray, 66), P Keegan (F Tiernan, 55), A Gourlay (Brannan, 56), S Murray.
But now the Sons are playing at a different level, and looking to progress in the SPFL Championship.
Alan Findlay & Simon Barrow