Dods left gutted by cup final axe

Apr 6 2008 By Gavin Berry

DEVASTATED Darren Dods revealed last night how he's still suffering the hurt from boss Craig Levein's cup final axe.

The defender was surprisingly dropped from Dundee United's starting line up for last month's CIS showpiece against Rangers despite missing only three games all season.

When he was left out for the SPL match at Celtic four days before Hampden it looked like Dods, 32, had simply been rested.

But replacement Garry Kenneth teamed up with Lee Wilkie to shut out the Parkhead strikers and convince Levein to stick with them for the club's biggest game in years.

Frustrated Dods admits it was a career low and has been out in the cold ever since United were cruelly denied glory on penalties.

But the veteran stopper has now been handed a top-team lifeline.

Kenneth's red card against Hearts last week rules him out of today's SPL clash with Gers and Dods is determined to grab his chance as the Arabs look for revenge.

Speaking for the first time about his CIS final anguish, Dods said: "The last time I experienced anything like that was at St Johnstone just before we played Monaco in the UEFA Cup in 1999.

"I dislocated my shoulder four days before the game. The first leg was away but I needed an operation so missed both ties.

"It was disappointing to miss the final, especially since I had played most of the season and every previous round. But Garry came in and did really well at Parkhead, kept Celtic quiet and helped land a clean sheet.

"The manager selected him at Hampden and the team was only five minutes away from winning a trophy. Although it was so disappointing for me, the lads did well at the back.

"There were six regulars who didn't play against Celtic and myself and Sean Dillon ended up staying out for the final as well.

"It was a hammer blow but by Sunday I was on the bench and thinking if something goes wrong I'll maybe have to play a part.

"It was hard but Sean was in the same boat - he'd played most of the season then found himself out for the biggest game too.

"With the clean sheet at Parkhead the gaffer felt the back four would be full of confidence and stuck with them.

"He was open about it and I understand his reasons.

"But hopefully with Garry suspended for this Rangers match I'll come back in. I've been waiting patiently for my chance."

Dods admits United can take heart from their Hampden performance when they twice led before crashing on spot-kicks.

They boast a good home record against Gers who haven't won at Tannadice for two years and were beaten 2-1 earlier this term.

But the big stopper knows the Light Blues are a much different proposition to the easy touches they were under Paul Le Guen.

Dods said: "We were holding them comfortably and really close to winning the cup so can take confidence from that.

"Rangers are different to last season. We always felt if we got the first goal we would win but this term they have showed even if they concede first they never give up.

"We're in a fight for Europe and finishing third would go a long way towards making up for the final."