Scotland`s Success Provides Peterhead Poser

It was a free weekend for the Pars following the postponement of their SPFL Trust Trophy matvh against Celtic B due to International Call-Ups.

However, this Saturday`s opponents Peterhead – who travel to KDM Group East End Park - sitting bottom of SPFL cinch League One, were in action at home to Elgin City. Jim McInally`s men never made it through Round 3, following a 4-0 loss to Gavin Price`s side.

The positive which the Blue Toon will take from the national side`s excellent 6 days of results and performances is that football can change very quickly.

Scotland struggled in the summer as they lost 3-1 to Ukraine in the World Cup Play-Off Semi-Final before a 3-0 away loss to Republic of Ireland in the Nations League.

Things looked bleak for the Tartan Army and Steve Clarke, with 2 victories over Armenia giving their final 3 fixtures in the UEFA Nations League in September a massive emphasis on `must-win`, if they stood any chance of success.

Despite the disappointments, Clarke and his group of players stuck together and shown their ture quality against Ukraine last Wednesday with a 3-0 win at Hampden Park; thereafter, a hard-fought 2-1 win over ex-Dunfermline manager Stephen Kenny`s Republic of Ireland left Scotland in pole position: all they needed was a draw away to Ukraine on Tuesday evening, and that is what they got.

Despite the adversity of the summer, sticking together as a group and working through the tough times to find solutions ultimately worked for Clarke and Scotland.

Peterhead and Jim McInally will be relaying this message to the Blue Toon`s players ahead of this weekend`s journey to West Fife.

As top plays bottom, all the pressure will be on Dunfermline Athletic. It`ll be James McPake`s side who have to try and overcome the challenges posed by Peterhead with any kind of result that isn`t a defeat, likely to be viewed as a good one from the visiting supporters.

The home crowd will be expectant and if Athletic want to remain top of the table and title contenders, it is these type of games that they must navigate successfully to have any chance of reaping the rewards of their hard work come May.

COYP!!!!