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HE’S done something that only Jimmy Brown, David Winnie and Alan Adamson have done before.
Succeeded where promotion-winning managers like Billy Lamont, Murdo MacLeod and Jim Chapman couldn’t.
One competitive game into life as Dumbarton manager, Stevie Aitken has managed Sons to victory in a Petrofac Cup tie.
And after seeing off Morton with Saturday’s 3-2 first round victory, the gaffer is in no mood to stop.
A trip to Hampden to face Queen’s Park in round two is Sons’ reward for the win at Greenock, which Stevie felt they fully deserved.
He said: “I was delighted with the result and performance. We played really well and although losing the two goals made it nervy, we were never under pressure.
“Our display was very pleasing and we were on top of the game for long spells.
“In any cup competition you want to get games at home, but if you’re not getting that, you look at venues where you want to play.
“Hampden is a ground which we don’t get to play on that often and I’m sure our players will be looking forward to it.
“I am sure it will be the case that the pressure is on us as we are the team from the higher division.
“But Queen’s Park have done very well under Gus MacPherson, bringing young players through.
“There are players playing international football who were there in the past, so we will have to be on our guard when the game takes place.”
The immediate priority now is Saturday’s League Cup tie away to East Fife, who Stevie’s Stranraer team knocked out of the same competition this time last year.
He continued: “I’m looking forward to it. It’s another tough game and East Fife will be desperate to get through.
“But if we play as we know we can play, then I am confident of another good result.”
Stevie also confirmed that striker Steven Craig will be available for the East Fife match, having now become a signed player.
Jordan Kirkpatrick, who missed the Morton game with a training ground injury, will be assessed ahead of the New Bayview trip, but otherwise Sons have a clean bill of health.
The gaffer also hailed the appointment of former Sons player Stuart Millar as the club’s chief scout.
He added: “Stuart will watch future opponents for us and has made a wide range of contacts through his work in Scotland for West Brom.
“I am delighted to have him on board.”
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