Andy Kirk signed by Jefferies
Friday, 23rd Mar 2012" I know what he is like and he demands a lot from the players and will give a lot back to the players as well.
Pars striker Andy Kirk is one player that new gaffer Jim Jefferies should know plenty about for he was the Hearts manager back in February 1999 who paid £50,000 to Glentoran to bring the 18 year old to Scotland. It was Jefferies that gave Andy five appearances off the bench in the Premier League at the end of that season. Jim Jefferies gave Andy his starting debut in Hearts game against Rangers at Ibrox in May 2000 and although no Hearts player hit the net that day, Kirkie went on to score 30 goals for the capital side in 114 first team appearances.
JJ left for Bradford City during season 2000-01 which saw him make a big impact scoring 13 goals in 40 appearances. Speaking exclusively to the website, Andy reflected on being under Jim Jefferies direction once more:-
"He gave me my first break in football so stuff like that you don't forget. I know what he is like and he demands a lot from the players and will give a lot back to the players as well. It's one of those things, it's a new manager, it's sad at the time when the old manager got sacked. I don't think there was anybody in the changing room that disliked Jim McIntyre. He was a genuine guy. That's football - we have a new manager in now and we have to give him everything we have for him and the club. A win on Saturday would be the icing on the cake and maybe give us the boost that we need to kick on."
The St Mirren game is not one that Dunfermline expect to be easy but they will be well prepared to take any opportunity that comes along to alter their drastic home form:-
"It's boiled down to eight cup finals and these are games that we need wins, we need points on board. We've never won at home all season so Saturday could be the first one for us, but we have got to do it the right way. They are a very good side and we have played them twice this year and they have been tough. Their manager has got them playing really good football so it will be a strong test for us but hopefully with a wee bit of luck we can maybe get that first home win this season and give ourselves a wee lift in the process.
Andy described Thursday, Jim Jefferies first day of training to be like the weather!
"It was nice, it was nice weather for a change! It was very similar to what we have been doing. He spoke to us briefly and obviously he has only taken over so he is just getting to know everybody. We only have two days before the game so Gerry took the first part of training and then the gaffer changed a few things. It was good, the tempo was good. A new manager has come in and he has different demands and it is up to us to try and meet them."
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