Bobby Ryan Post Falkirk

Ryan turns his back on Champions League to come to the aid of his old gaffer.

27 year-old Bobby Ryan was re-united with his old boss, Stephen Kenny, just ahead of the Derby match.  Fresh from agreeing an 18 month deal, the Dunfermline new boy talked to the website after his debut at The Falkirk Stadium:-

"We are all disappointed because we thought we should have got a point from the game. It was disappointing to lose a goal in the last minute because we played well in the second half.  If there is one thing we take from the game its that we gave ourselves a good chance and hopefully we can take it into the next game and get a win."

The Shelbourne player arrived in Scotland on the 6.30 flight out of Dublin on Friday morning and then joined in the Pars training later that morning.  "It has been a bit of a rush" claimed the midfielder who spent last night with his team mates in a Falkirk hotel.

"I enjoyed it. It was a good introduction and a pity that we didn't hang on for a point.  We created a few chances in the game, obviously we didn't take them so we are disappointed. That is football for you - take your chances and it is a whole different ball game, but we didn't."

Limerick born Bobby can play behind the front two or in the front line but to his own preference out wide on the wing.  He explained that he had come across the sea from Ireland for experience and is delighted to be back in Kenny's fold:-

"I was three years with him at Bohemians. We had a good time, won the league the first year and went a bit downhill after that. We didn't get the league at the club where we had to win the league every year.  He knew that there were difficulties back at the club and he rang me to see if I would be interested in coming over and I said 'of course I would'.

"He wanted me over as quick as possible so I arrived Friday."  The speed was prompted by a bit of interest in Ryan from clubs back in the Eircom League.

"I have worked with him before, he is a good manager and we can turn things around here."

The latest signing received a warm welcome from his new team mates:-

"They are all honest lads so if you have honesty in the squad we should soon turn it around."

The financial crisis that has left players unpaid at Shelbourne has caused an exodus from the Dublin club:-

"Their contracts have been broken.  Nobody wanted to leave such a good club; we won the League and we are in the Champions League next year but that is not going to happen now for a lot of the players."

Bobby is one who will not be in next season's Champions League but he enjoyed his baptism in Scottish football.

"It was unbelievable out there in the wind and the rain; it was hard to play in it but I thought we did very well in the second half especially.  It was probably easier to play against it than with it because the ball wouldn't travel that far."

The importance of his first match against Falkirk was not missed on Bobby Ryan:-

"I heard a few stories over the last day about the rivalry, how the fans don't like each other.  It is a big game for both clubs and Falkirk nicked it at the end so their players and fans will be a lot the happier."

A friend's wedding prevented Bobby from watching Dunfermline's Scottish Cup success over Rangers but he knows that the SPL match against the Gers next Sunday is another tough fixture:-

"It is another big game and Rangers will be out to get revenge after last week's Cup game.  We need three points from home games but Rangers are going to be fired up with their new manager."