BY ALAN TEMPLE – @CCP_Sport
Edinburgh City loan star Aaron Dunsmore wants to toast a Treble this season as he relishes his first taste of senior football.
The 19-year-old was farmed out to the Lowland League champions by Hibernian in February and has thrived at Meadowbank, cementing a spot at right-back and helping Gary Jardine’s men claim a second successive title.
While starring for City, Dunmore admits the first thing he does when he gets back into the dressing room is check his phone for the Hibs score – with his parent club chasing promotion to the top-flight and Scottish Cup glory.
And he is targeting of a fairytale end to the season, by helping Edinburgh City ascend to the SPFL and seeing the Hibees – who he still trains with throughout the week – secure success on two fronts.
Dunsmore will be part of the City side which faces Highland League champions Cove Rangers at Harlaw Park in Inverurie today, with the winners over two legs going on to face East Stirlingshire for a place in league football next term.
The talented teen, who is contracted to the Easter Road outfit until 2017, said: “The perfect end to the season is for Hibs to go up and win the Scottish Cup and for Edinburgh City to reach League Two. That would be unbelievable.
“After the City game, the first thing I do is check my phone for the Hibs result! Hopefully the boys can keep stringing together big results and get us up to the Premiership and do the business in the Cup.
“I’m still training with Hibs during the day and then I work with Edinburgh City on a Thursday night, so I’m still working hard to develop in training and the coaches at Hibs have been really supportive.
“Eddie May [Hibs head of youth development] has been to see me a few times and he is always quick to talk me through the games, tell me where I need to improve and help me kick on. That is a massive help.
“This move has been fantastic for my development and I’ve really enjoyed it. The boys have welcomed my in from day one and helped me settle in. I’ve really enjoyed it and I’d love to be able to pay them back by getting a good result over these ties.
“This playoff is going to be a fantastic experience. It’s an opportunity to take part in a playoff game, test myself against senior pros and hopefully help Edinburgh City move closer to a league place.”
Dunsmore has no doubt a third side from the capital would be an “asset” to the SPFL as they prepare for another crack at the pyramid playoffs.
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City agonisingly lost out on penalties to Brora Rangers last season after a 420-mile round-trip to Dudgeon Park, and the young defender reckons that pain will be a driving force this time round.
He added: “It would be an incredible achievement for City to win promotion. A lot of the boys were part of the side which lost to Brora on penalties last season and I think that has only made them more determined to succeed this time.
“City would be a real asset to the SPFL. It’s a top community club and has a right decent fanbase and stadium. It’s a great club and I’d love to play a part in them coming up.”
