BY IAIN COLLIN – @CCP_sport
Falkirk’s title and Scottish Cup hopes have been handed a significant boost after Aberdeen allowed keeper Danny Rogers to remain with the Bairns for the remainder of the campaign.
Rogers was farmed out to the Championships side on loan last summer and has been Peter Houston’s first-choice all season, but could have been recalled this month.
The Dons raised doubts over the Republic of Ireland under-21 cap remaining beyond this month’s transfer window when they prevented him from playing for Falkirk in the last round of the Scottish Cup against Fraserburgh because it would have ‘cup-tied’ him.
However, after talks with Pittodrie counterpart Derek McInnes, Houston has revealed Rogers will be staying and can play for last season’s Scottish Cup finalists against Dundee this weekend.
It is a development that has delighted the Bairns boss, who has watched the Irishman – who pulled off a stunning last-gasp penalty save in last month’s shock win over Rangers – grow in stature in recent weeks and months.
He said: “I spoke to Derek and they got what they were wanting to hear from Liverpool regarding (on-loan keeper) Danny Ward and he told us everything would be fine with us and Danny.
“They did have a call-back option but all the paperwork is done and been lodged, so Danny is staying to the end of the season and he can play in the cup on Saturday.
Getting better
“I’m delighted with that because I think he has come on as a goalkeeper.
“He’s still only a young boy and is still learning lots, but he has improved. His concentration levels have improved, his kicking’s getting better and his organisation skills as well, and I’ve been really pleased with him.
“I think he’s been great in the last couple of months and I told Derek that.
“In my first conversation with Derek I was saying to myself ‘he’s made a couple of errors but bide by him’ but I told Derek this time I’m really pleased with him and desperately keen to keep a hold of him.
“And, who knows? If Derek doesn’t see him as a first-team goalie next season then, the way he’s going just now, I wouldn’t be averse to taking him for another year.”
