Partick Thistle Post Match Interviews

Highlights from interviews given by Jim McIntyre, Ian McCall, Alex Burke and Stevie Crawford after the game against Partick Thistle at EEP.

Jim McIntyre
Jim is extremely unhappy with the refereeing display in the match and believes it was a travesty that Harper was shown a straight red, meaning he will be missing for two games. He also talks about the penalty claims that the referee waved away but that he felt were definite penalties with a hand ball in the box and a blatant push to deny Simmons a clear shot at goal. Aside from this the manager is very happy at his teams display, even after going down to ten men it looked as if it would be Dunfermline that would go on and get another goal.

Ian McCall
Ian is honest enough to admit that Harper should never have been sent off for the challenge on the far side but that he believes justice was done for a previous incident in which the player elbowed Mark Twaddle in the face. He also admits that the last penalty claim in the match was a stonewall penalty but that the other shouts throughout the match were unfounded. McCall is pleased with his team for sticking in and earning a point following an energy sapping midweek cup-tie that went to penalties.

Alex Burke
Alex speaks of his chance to score and he is astounded that the defender managed to get a touch without putting the ball in his own net but gives credit to the opposing player. He explains that the players are disappointed that they couldn’t take all three points from the game given the chances created and the penalty claims, which he too cant believe were not given but feels that the sending off could have been a turning point in the game that gave Partick a lift. Having come on loan from St.Mirren, Alex has been able to play two games so far and is under no illusions about how tight the league is but he is confident that there is light at the end of the tunnel for Dunfermline.

Stevie Crawford
Stevie is glad that has been able to get his chance again up front, and score, having spent most of the season in midfield and other positions. He too is adamant that Kevin Harper should not have been sent off for his challenge and describes the incident as a bit rash rather than anything malicious. The case seems to be whether at each of the penalty claims if there was a “fair advantage” and Stevie cannot see how there was in two of the four possible decisions. There are many positives to be taken out of the match but at the end of the day it is two points lost at home but with the season being all but over there are promising signs coming from the players after the performance. Crawford explains how he had a chat with McIntyre when he got the job about how he wanted to be playing upfront and he doesn’t care how many games he may have to play in the reserves before he gets his chance as he is still enjoying his football and training day in day out at the age of 34.