Tony Docherty reveals Dundee players ‘angry’ not to keep clean sheet in big win

Posted Sunday, August 18, 2024 by PA

Dundee boss Tony Docherty revealed his players were angry with themselves despite their emphatic Premier Sports Cup win over 10-man Airdrie.

The Dark Blues shared six goals between themselves to seal a quarter-final spot, with Seb Palmer-Houlden, Jordan McGhee, Scott Tiffoney, Antonio Portales, Curtis Main and Lyall Cameron on the scoresheet.

However, it was Adam Frizzell’s consolation strike for an Airdrie side that had Dylan MacDonald sent off in the second half that annoyed the home dressing room after the final whistle.

Docherty said: “If you’d told me we’d run out 6-1 winners, I’d have bitten your hand off.

“That’s us now scored 29 goals in seven games. It shows the quality in our team.

“I think if you’re a Dundee fan coming to watch that, you’re enjoying it. I’m enjoying watching the team.

“Then I see them in the dressing room and they’re angry that they lost a goal and didn’t get a clean sheet.

“That shows you the level of professionalism and the type of player I’ve got in that dressing room.

“I cannot give them enough praise, can’t be more positive about them because that was a tricky tie and people might’ve thought a potential banana skin.”

Docherty added: “I said to the boys: There will be a couple of shocks – make sure it’s not us.

“I thought our performance was outstanding. Yes, they went down to 10 men but that was because of the way we played against them, how clinical we were, how organised we were and how good on the counter we were. I’m delighted for them.”

Airdrie player-manager Rhys McCabe admitted the goals his side lost were not acceptable but said it is his job to pick the players up.

McCabe said: “Ultimately that’s my job. First and foremost we are not going to be defined by today’s game, we have bigger priorities in terms of the league and where we are as a club.

“We knew it was a difficult task, you are coming up against a really good side who are at the top end of the league above.

“We lost four goals from set-pieces today which was the frustrating part because that is just a bit of basics, a desire to make sure the man you are up against doesn’t get a clean header or a free contact in the box. Four is not acceptable.”