Sheerin against Rangers in cup ties is nothing new
Friday 6th January 2012
Arbroath Player/Manager, Paul Sheerin, will lead his side against Rangers this Sunday in their Fourth Round Scottish Cup tie and whilst some of his squad will be facing up to the Light Blues for the first time, it is slightly different for the Gayfield boss.
The 37-year-old midfielder started his career at Alloa Athletic over 20 years ago and saw service at Southampton, Alloa a second time, Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Ayr United, Aberdeen and St. Johnstone before leading the Red Lichties to Third Division Championship success in his first season as a Manager in May 2011.
During that time, Sheerin has played in memorable cup ties at various stages of knockout competitions against the Ibrox men including a Quarter-Final, a Semi-Final and a Final as well as passionate League encounters at both Ibrox and Pittodrie.
Sheerin talked through six of his meetings against Rangers starting with his first ever clash which was a really high profile meeting at Hampden:-
The CIS Insurance Cup Final - 17th March, 2002
Ayr United 0 Rangers 4
Flo (44)
Ferguson (49 pen)
Cannigia (75, 90)
Sheerin started off by saying: “That one was the first ever game against Rangers as I had never played in the SPL at that point or been drawn against them in a cup tie. They had some really well known internationalists in their team that day and Barry Ferguson was the only Scot that started.
“We were a First Division side and Rangers had Stefan Klos in goal and big Lorenzo Amoruso and Arthur Numan in their defence with Fernando Ricksen alongside Barry in midfield with Peter Lovenkrands, a World Cup Finalist in Claudio Caniggia as well as Tore André Flo up front.”
The Gayfield boss added: “You could say it was a very cosmopolitan side and a bit different to what we will face on Sunday although their side is still full of international players.”
Ayr contained Rangers for a long time with Sheerin saying: “We held them well until just before half time when Flo got a goal. Then Barry scored a penalty just after half time and it became a bit of a long second half for us after that. We stuck to it but Cannigia scored twice before the end to make it four.
“I have won the Challenge Cup but this appearance remains my only appearance at a national Cup Final at Hampden so it is special despite the scoreline.”
Sheerin joked: “I kept my Ayr shirt from the game and refused to swap it and looking back, I am not sure why I did that.”
The day was to have a further twist as Sheerin was selected for a drugs test after the Cup Final and it certainly added further disappointment to his day as he explained: “We had a bit of a Gala Dinner organised to celebrate reaching the Cup Final but I suffered from water intoxication as I drank too much as in preparation for a drugs test.
“I missed out on the Dinner as I was being really sick and had a severe headache.”
SPL - 1st February, 2003
Rangers 2 Aberdeen 1
Mols (37, 77) Tosh (75)
Just less than a year later, Sheerin was facing Rangers at Ibrox for the first time on League duty in what was his third League game for Aberdeen where he joined up with the then recently appointed Manager, Steve Paterson, his former Manager at Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
Paterson had been given the Pittodrie hot seat the month before and he started recruiting players he could trust to help move the Dons out of deep relegation trouble.
Sheerin made his debut as a substitute the previous weekend in a tricky Scottish Cup tie away to Queen of the South that ended goalless before making his SPL debut in heartbreaking fashion as Heart of Midlothian scored an injury time winner in the Granite City in a midweek game.
Sheerin said: “That game was really significant for us as things started knitting together. Steve brought in a few players like Stevie Tosh, Leigh Hinds and myself. It was a real big time feel at Ibrox and my first taste of that in a League game.
“The atmosphere was great that day and one of the reasons for that was the Aberdeen fans who were supporting us really loudly all day. This week they showed that again against Dundee United and it is great for the club that they get that backing on the road that they do.”
It was Tosh that took the headlines at Ibrox that day for the Dons as he scored a wonder solo goal to level Michael Mols opener however, Mols quickly restored Rangers’ lead.
Sheerin said: “Stevie scored a great goal with a fine run and finish mind you, he still dines out on it now!
"We may have been beaten that day but that game lifted us as we showed a spirit and everyone knew that we could improve our position.”
The now Arbroath boss has a special place in Aberdeen history that he perhaps does not get fully recognised for as he scored eight times in red and white colours to help steer them up to eighth place.
A brace opened his account in a 3-0 win over Dundee United and Sheerin then scored winners against Motherwell twice, Livingston and Dunfermline Athletic as well as a double as the Dons came back from two goals down to draw 3-3 with Dundee.
He explained: “That was Aberdeen’s Centenary season and I ended up the club’s top goalscorer in that special season despite being only there for half a season which I had really enjoyed.”
SPL 14th February, 2004
Aberdeen 1 Rangers 1
Diamond (2) F De Boer (87)
The following season Sheerin had his finest 90 minutes in an Aberdeen shirt as Aberdeen came within a few minutes of winning against Rangers at Pittodrie in a SPL meeting.
Sheerin said: “Zander Diamond scored really early on with a close range finish with a delicate part of his body and I reckon I went on to have my best game for Aberdeen that day as we looked to build on that goal. The atmosphere was unbelievable as the Dons fans got behind us well for the entire game.
“I was playing in central midfield that day with Markus Heikkinen and we were up against the Brazilian internationalist Emerson. I got the Man of the Match Award but I ended up really gutted about how the game ended.”
Sheerin had a chance with four minutes to go to seal the win however, the ball kicked off the rutted Pittodrie surface and he mishit his effort into Stefan Kols’ arms and he said: “The ball bobbled and I sclaffed a shot into the goalkeeper’s arms. He cleared it and Frank de Boer equalised and I was gutted. It was bad enough missing the chance and even if the ball had ended up in the stand, it would have been better.”
The CIS Insurance Cup Quarter Final - 8th November, 2006
Rangers 0 St. Johnstone 2
Milne (52, 68)
Sheerin left Pittodrie that summer for a six year spell as a St. Johnstone player and he admits that an overall disappointing second season with Aberdeen was behind the move saying: “Steve Paterson had decided that I was to move on before Jimmy Calderwood and Jimmy Nicholl came in. I did my pre-season with them and enjoyed it but they needed to move some players on. I was on the transfer list and it made sense if I was one of them.
“John Connolly signed me but it was a disappointing first season at Perth and we just finished outside the relegation zone. Owen Coyle came in towards the end of the season and as anyone who knows him will tell you, he just lifts you with his presence.”
Sheerin added: “I mean no disrespect to John at all but Owen's motivation skills were fantastic. We had been in the doldrums but he just came in and talked and talked and that lifted the whole club.
“He laid the foundations for St. Johnstone to be a SPL club and Derek McInnes built on that by tweaking things his own way.”
One of the highlights of Coyle’s reign was a 2-0 CIS Insurance Cup success at Ibrox with Sheerin saying: “That game was all about two great finishes from Stevie Milne. We were a First Division side and it was a real shock that we won but we were worthy winners. The fact that their Manager at the time, Paul le Guen, was under pressure probably worked in our favour.
“We scored just after half time with a fantastic overhead kick from Stevie and when he broke away and scored again midway through the second period, we began to realise we could win it. We couldn’t relax and Allan McManus had to clear a Kris Boyd effort off the line with a lot of people thinking it had gone in but we got there.”
Scottish Cup Semi-Final - 20th April, 2008
St. Johnstone 1 Rangers 1 (Rangers won 4-3 on Kicks from the Penalty Mark)
McBreen (94) Novo (103 pen)
The season that the Perth Saints knocked Rangers out of The CIS Insurance Cup was almost a First Division Championship winning season however, Sheerin’s former Ayr United Cup Final team-mate James Grady scored an injury time goal against Ross County in Dingwall to see Gretna promoted at their expense in heartbreaking fashion at Hamilton.
A hangover was seen in the First Division the following season but the Challenge Cup was won with Sheerin scoring in the 3-2 success over Dunfermline Athletic in the Cup Final at Dens Park and they defeated Raith Rovers, Ross County and St. Mirren to reach a Scottish Cup Semi-Final against Rangers.
A tracksuit was given to Sheerin as he was on the bench at Hampden and he was disappointed as he explained: “It was a real blow to be starting as a substitute in that game and I know how the Arbroath players will be feeling when I name the team this Sunday and some of them are on the bench.”
Sheerin used his frustration in the best possible way as he explained: “I got on with 20 minutes of normal time left and the game goalless. In extra-time, I set up the opening goal for Daniel McBreen with a cross from the left that he headed home.
“Unfortunately, we never held on to the lead long enough as Rangers got a penalty before the half time break. I reckon it was debatable but I am bound to say that.”
The game went to a penalty shoot-out and for a player who is well known for his accuracy from 12 yards, Sheerin admits to being really edgy as he strode forward to take the opening spot-kick.
“I had missed my previous two which was not like me so I was really nervous about hitting this one,” said Sheerin before adding, “I managed to get my one in however, we lost out 4-3.”
Scottish Cup Fourth Round - 13th January, 2009
St. Johnstone 0 Rangers 2
McCaffrey (43 og)
Novo (79)
The following season, St. Johnstone had the chance of revenge on a Rangers side that went on to lift the trophy at the expense of Queen of the South in the 2008 Scottish Cup Final, with the clubs being paired together in the Fourth Round.
Sheerin was again listed as a replacement and he did not like this occasion any better as he said: “I do not remember too much about this game and that is probably because I was in a huff as I was a substitute. All I do remember was one of my pals telling me that he had never seen a player get stripped ready to come on quicker than I did that day.
“He said I got the nod and bang tracksuit, hat and gloves were off and I was ready to play.”
The Saints were one down when Sheerin replaced Paul Hanlon with 19 minutes left.
Rangers made a substitution at the same time with Nacho Novo coming on and he settled the tie with a goal 11 minutes from time.
Sheerin added ruefully: “Nacho Novo has scored in a lot of games I have been involved in be it against Raith Rovers, Dundee or Rangers so you can imagine my joy when I saw he was being linked with Ally McCoist this week!
“I will need to keep checking on things to see if he signs for them this week.”
The Sky TV cameras will pick up all the action from this Sunday’s game at Gayfield with Sheerin saying: “I have certainly had a mixed set of results in a number of high profile games. Our Arbroath fans will create a good atmosphere and we are heading towards a sell-out which is fantastic for the club.
“Now that we have our League games out of the way and the media attention is picking up, I am sure the players will relish it and hopefully, everyone in our squad will enjoy the occasion as much as I have enjoyed my games against Rangers.”
There are a number of experienced players at Gayfield who will help Sheerin as he explained: “Brian Kerr has played for Scotland and, of course, Gavin Swankie has been at St. Johnstone and Dundee as well as appearing the last time Sky were at Gayfield for a Rangers game back in 2003.
“Hopefully, I can chalk up a starting appearance in this one!”