Managers Post Caley Thistle

06/08/11: JM - "We have only taken a point and we have got to make sure that we are a wee bit more switched on especially at free kicks and corners ..

Jim McIntyre feared the worst when his side went 3-2 down so near the end of the game. Greg Tansey's 83rd minute goal might have won the day had it not been for a late Martin Hardie strike.

"If we had lost the game it would have been stolen from us because I felt that we played exceptionally well. We showed what a good side we were and attacked Inverness really well. In the first half some of our play was excellent and we should have possibly been further ahead.

"We gave away a couple of bad goals and I said to the players that you get punished at this level if you switch off. That's the difference in the higher league. I was really proud of the players; I thought they were excellent today."

It was Martin Hardie who saved the day for Dunfermline even though the bench were surprised at the big midfielder's goal from a free kick with ten seconds of regulation time remaining:-

"We were thinking it is too far and the boys sitting in the stand were thinking it is too far but the big man has come up with an absolutely fabulous free kick. It didn't surprise us because we see his skill.  He is a good footballer Martin Hardie and he has been scoring these kind of free kicks even going back to his St Johnstone days. Here against us he put one in the top corner against us. It was a terrific strike and it was definitely deserved."

The Manager also praised Joe Cardle for his effort especially in the first half.

"Cardle gave them a lot of problems, Barrowman was exceptional, Jason Thomson got up and down the wing to get deliveries in and  was superb.  It was a really good team performance and we needed that after the first game against St Mirren when we never hit the heights that we know that we are capable of.  It was important to show that we are a better side than we showed that night.  I think we did that today.

"At the same time we have only taken a point and we have got to make sure that we are a wee bit more switched on especially at free kicks and corners but you have to give  Inverness a lot of credit. They changed it about a wee bit and had a real go. We knew that we would face that after half time because he wasn't happy."

It is only two games into the campaign but at least Andy Kirk has got off the mark with a double against Caley, the Manager added:-

"Andy Kirk is a sniffer, he is a goalscorer and he knows where to be to be in the right place at the right time. The two stikers linked particularly well today, the two worked in tandem and were always close to each other.  They were never far away even when they were on the defensive.  I was really pleased with the two of them today; pleased with everyone.

"Obviously you are desperate for three points but it is a tough league."

Terry Butcher:

"When I was asked on Sky what my thoughts were of the game, I couldn't answer. It is difficult to sum up a match like that because at half time I would easily have settled for 3-3.  I would have settled for 8-8 or 10-10 because in the first half we were never at the races.

"Dunfermline at half time must have been a bit sick that they were not more than 1-0 up. We changed things around in the second half and I know we scored early but it certainly wasn't down to my inspirational team talk that's for sure.  We got a massive deflection but that little bit of luck that we have not been having went in.

"Then Dunfermline have reacted better to our goal and came back and got a second. We had to chase the game again and did well to get back into the match at 2-2.  The goal from Richie that was disallowed, if Gregory (Tade) didn't touch the ball would have been given.  You think the luck has gone against us again but then at 3-2 I am thinking 'how we are in front I don't know but I will certainly take it'.

Strangely for a manager experiencing his team having a 'goal' chalked off Terry was full of praise for the match officials:-

"There was a great relationship between the referee and his officials because Bobby Madden the fourth official told us why the goal was disallowed and all the incidents on the pitch, it was very good. It wasn't very good when he told us it was disallowed but at least we were able to know straight away and then get on with it.

"At 3-2 up with three minutes to go I thought there were more goals in it because of the way both teams were attacking. Both defences were falling to bits which wasn't great for us. It was a wonderful goal to equalise. It is our fault for easily giving away possession, they put the ball down the pitch and we have conceded a free kick.

"We have got a point, we have scored three goals and bizarrely could have got three points. In the end I think Dunfermline will feel more aggrieved that they haven't got three points. Certainly in the first half they were miles better than us; they were sharper, quicker and hassled us more.  We needed a stronger second half performance which we got.

"Both managers will look at it and say what the hell happened there, especially in the last 45 minutes."