Interim boss Peter Leven admits he was shocked by Aberdeen’s “unacceptable” 3-0 Scottish Gas Scottish Cup quarter-final defeat at Dunfermline and expressed concerns about relegation.
Midfielder Matty Todd fired Neil Lennon’s Championship side ahead after 14 minutes before 20-year-old striker Olly Thomas doubled the lead in the 22nd minute with his first Pars goal since signing on loan from Bristol City. He then added a third for the home side in the second half.
The Granite City side, who were booed off by their fans, are consigned to a bottom-half finish in the William Hill Premiership and are only eight points ahead of Kilmarnock in the relegation play-off spot with nine fixtures remaining.
Leven said: “It was shocking.
“We actually started okay and had a chance through Stuart Armstrong, but I can’t defend the players any more.
“That is unacceptable. I apologise to the fans.
“We are in trouble. We’re in serious trouble. We are not picking up wins, we are not picking up points and we are out of the Scottish Cup.
“There were so many experienced players out there and we never won the first ball, second ball.
“There was a lack of fight and a lack of confidence. It was really poor.”
Asked about the danger of being dragged into the relegation battle, Leven said: “100 per cent. I just said that to them. I said that we cannot go on like this.
“I can’t protect them anymore. They have to stand up and be counted.
“They are going to have to pick it up.”
Aberdeen have been without a manager since Jimmy Thelin departed two months ago but Leven refused to use that as an excuse.
He said: “That’s an easy way out for me. That should not have anything to do with tonight’s performance.
“We are the holders and we have limped out of the Scottish Cup.
“It is unacceptable. I can take losing, but after going 1-0 down, the fight was gone and that is so disappointing.”
A delighted Pars boss Neil Lennon looked forward to a “sexy” trip to Hampden Park in the semi-final.
He said: “It’s a magnificent achievement and a magnificent performance against a highly-motivated Aberdeen team.
“To a man, we were superb and it’s beyond my expectations.
“I thought we were a good side, but they excelled tonight – not just on the football, but the work-rate and the commitment and their physicality.
“And they thoroughly deserved the win.
“It puts the club back on the map in Scottish football, which is what we want to do.
“And it’s very, very special for me on a professional and a personal level.
“So, all credit to the players and to the fans who were here tonight and the people of Dunfermline.
“And they’ve performed really, really well. So the significance isn’t lost on me.
“And, of course, the opportunity to go to Hampden, it’s sexy.
“It’s good for the players and, you know, the fans have got something palpable to look forward to.”
