Manager on Saturday

23/07/11: JM - "We are the new boys in the league and we want to get off to a flying start."

Jim McIntyre spoke to the website at lunchtime before heading off to Motherwell to see their opening SPL game against the Pars next league opponents Inverness Caley Thistle.

"After Tuesday night's game we can start really focussing on the St Mirren game. The boys had a day off on Friday and we have been in for the rest of the week but now its about the countdown to the game and they are really looking forward to it.

"We are all hungry to start; pre season games serve a purpose but there is nothing like the real McCoy and we are itching to get going."

Never one to give much away about his team ahead of matches, Macca described Nick Phinn's chances of being fit for consideration as 50/50.

"We have a fair idea of who will start and who will not, but there's healthy competition all over. In this first game we want to get off to a good start, we are at home and we had a fantastic home record last year and we want to try and continue that since that will be even more important in the SPL.

"The first quarter you hope to find your feet, it is the same in any league, but it is so important to get off to a good start and that is what we will be trying to do."

The opening fixture has been moved to Monday night to accommodate Sky television and the Manager acknowledged that players will all want to play to their best. "We are the new boys in the league and we want to get off to a flying start."

Fans of both Dunfermline and St Mirren are reminded that the Gallery Suite within the main stand at East End Park will be open at 5.00pm on Monday night for pre match refreshments.