News: Hartley: Brilliant Bain Can Go Right To The Top

[TheDarkBlues]

Dundee boss Paul Hartley believes he has a precious gem in goalkeeper Scott Bain.

And he’s backing the 23-year-old to go all the way to the top.

A bout of appendicitis in the summer meant the former Alloa and Aberdeen man had to wait until the end of October for a run of games in the Dark Blues first team.

But, since an injury to Kyle Letheren handed him that chance, Bain has been in outstanding form.

And he was one of the heroes on Saturday at Dens as Dundee dumped one of the favourites, Aberdeen, out of the Scottish Cup.

Bain turned in a confident performance and pulled off three breathtaking saves as the home team edged through thanks to an injury- time winner from goal-a-game David Clarkson.

In the first half, he denied Adam Rooney one-handed, then, late on, pushed a Johnny Hayes free-kick to safety.

He saved his best for last and, with almost the last touch of the tie and with Aberdeen desperately seeking an equaliser, he somehow touched a Niall McGinn thunderbolt onto the bar.

Those heroics earnedglowing praise from his gaffer.

“Bain’s shown over the last four our five weeks he’s absolutely outstanding,” said Paul.

“He can go right to the top — and I mean that.

“I’ve worked with him over the last three years and he just keeps producing.

“He’s very level-headed, he’s very calm and he just keeps making save after save for us.

“When you’ve got a goalkeeper like that behind your back four, he gives everyone confidence.

“I’m thinking about the save at the end from McGinn but his first-half save was terrific as well.

“He’s got great agility. It’s absolutely outstanding and he kept us in the game at times.”

There was also praise for James McPake and Clarkson, the men who combined to grab the dramatic late winner.

“It was a great decision McPake made to go up the park,” continued the Dens boss. “In a couple of games, we’ve told him to get up front but not this time.

“He goes up and plays it into Clarky’s path and he’s finished it very well.

“We always knew, if we got one chance, Clarky would finish it. He gets that chance and the composure he showed was first class.”

Source: Evening Telegraph