From the Daily Record: ARBROATH boss Paul Sheerin is desperate to smash his semi-final hoodoo by turning the tables on Queen of the South tomorrow.
The former St Johnstone midfielder missed out on three Scottish Cup Finals and a League Cup Final after four heartbreaking last-four exits at Saints and Ayr United.
But Sheerin is confident he can end his woeful record and lead Red Lichties to their first-ever final.
He said: “I had a few disappointments in semi-finals as a player. No-one remembers semi-final losers and it's probably the worst time to go out of a competition.
“The Ramsdens Cup is often looked down upon but when you get to this stage it’s one you want to win. To lead Arbroath into a final would be special.”
Queens have yet to lose a league game this season and thumped Arbroath 6-0 earlier this term in a one-sided rout at Palmerston. But Sheerin believes that result will be good for his side ahead of tomorrow’s semi-final showdown.
He added: “I’m hoping the 6-0 game will have been good for the players’ mentality and we will have learned from it.”
Queen’s assistant boss Sandy Clark said their win against Rangers at Ibrox in the last round will count for nothing if they don’t see off Arbroath.
Clark said: “It’s a big game. It’s a national cup competition and one we want to win. There is no point in going to Ibrox and putting in such a great performance and then not capitalising on it in the following round.
“We won’t be taking it for granted. I know we beat them easily earlier in the season but this game will be totally different. They’re a good side with experienced players and it will be a tough game for us.”
Queens will be without Paul Burns, Chris Higgins, Willie Gibson and Kevin Smith, while Arbroath have no new injury worries