Cairney believes Annan have ability to match the big boys

IT IS the footballing equivalent of Upstairs Downstairs, with Annan Athletic playing the role of the lowly footman. The semi-finals of the Ramsdens Cup take place this afternoon and while Falkirk, Hamilton and Livingston are all First Division sides, the Third Division underdogs believe they have every chance of upsetting the hierarchy.

Just four years into their SFL existence and already they are into their second Challenge Cup semi-final. Two years ago they were finally undone by Dundee, but things have evolved since then. Back then the money was still being ploughed into ground improvements, but with those foundations now solid, there has been extra investment in the playing squad. It has left Harry Cairney with a better blend of experience and youth and the manager is confident that a better outcome is achievable this time around.

“We are still quite early in our history in the SPL and two seasons ago, when we met Dundee up at Dens, we just weren’t strong enough to compete with them on that occasion, but we are hoping this year, especially with a home draw and tighter pitch down at Galabank, that we can perform better and give ourselves a chance of progressing.”

The likes of Sean O’Connor and Ian Harty have joined the ranks since that last semi-final, the former’s cup pedigree an undoubted asset. He was part of the Queen of the South side which defeated Aberdeen en route to the 2008 Scottish Cup final and while knee problems mean he has had to step down a couple of divisions, the 30-year-old is as committed as ever in the quest for silverware.

“He has played at a high level and although his knee is not all it should be we can get away with it from game to game. He is performing at a lower level than he was when he was at his fittest, but because of that he gets away with it and, more than that, he adds a great deal to the team because of his experience. He helps the younger players. Somebody like Sean isn’t a guy who shouts and bawls at people, but if he has something to say the youngsters listen to him and, not just that, because he played for Queens, a good few of our guys are Dumfries-based so they have seen Sean play in his best.”

Aged 30 there was a suspicion he would hang up his boots at the end of last season, but Cairney, who himself played into his 40s, was happy to extend his contract for another year. “Some people are driven to play and Sean is one of them. He wants to play as long as he can and it’s to his credit that he puts himself through the pain barrier most weeks.”

And it’s not just the old war wounds he has to overcome. “He is down staying in Wolverhampton just now so comes up on a Thursday night. He doesn’t train on a Tuesday, but on a Thursday he drives up and back down the road again and that shows how committed he is.”

Having come so close two years ago before being forced to bow out, Cairney would love to illustrate the progression he believes has been made by Annan and take them into the tournament finale.

“I feel this year we do have a stronger squad, stronger than at any other time since we got into the SFL and that’s a good feeling to have,” he said.