Stephen Kenny Post Man Utd

"It was a night to play tribute to a player, we used it to get players who needed matches in and to sharpen up players that will be playing on Saturday.

Stephen Kenny's comments after Testimonial match:-

"It was about Scott Thomson tonight and ten years service. Manchester United people like Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes have been doing it for lengthy periods too. Ryan Giggs has something like nine league titles but see the hunger they had even for a friendly can be inspiring for your own players.

"From our point of view, I know that we didn't pick our strongest team to start - people might be a bit disappointed about that but we have four games in ten days or something and I have to manage my squad as well. There is no point in flogging the same people and under using some. There has to be a balance there as well. we would like to have a proper go at it."

Asked if he had not been worried when he saw the Manchester United line up, the Manager replied:-

"I was happy with the team I put out including the likes of Nick Phinn. Dunfermline is renowned for not bringing young players through their system. Greg Ross is the last player since Jackie McNamara to come through so with Nick Phinn and Iain Williamson we want to give them every opportunity. They are still only 18 and the only way that players will flourish is if you put them in. We have to give them the experience of playing in a game and try to bring them on. That is the idea. If we had more then we would put them in as well.

"Other players needed a game as well and we benefited from that. I thought when the players came on it was a good sharpening up exercise for Burchill, Crawford and McManus because when we had three up we looked quite potent."

How important is Scott Thomson going to be to Dunfermline this season?

"I think his versatility is important with thirty six league games and we are in Europe and cup competitions it is conceivable that we could play over 50 games. In pre season he had done a good season at left back for us a few times. He was playing here at left back for a few seasons before he got injured. Centre back is his favoured position and he can also do a very good job there. As I see it he can do a very good job at left back, right back or centre back and one of his main assets is that he is a very good communicator. Tonight you can be exposed against players of that calibre tonight, there is no disgrace in that.

"It was a night to play tribute to a player, we used it to get players who needed matches in and to sharpen up players that will be playing on Saturday. I am not saying that is going to help us in Europe but Morton is a big game for us now on Saturday, they have won their first game and come here next. We have BK Hacken on Thursday and then Livingston. You have to be fresh for these three games, it is important for us."

Asked if he would go and see Hacken before they come to East End Park, Stephen Kenny replied:-

"I had booked to go to see them on Sunday but after I heard the fee for the flight I decided I wanted to be around on Monday because the flight wasn't back until Monday night so Craig Robertson went on Sunday to see them. They have another game this Sunday so we will have a report on this Sunday so we will have them done twice. We will also has video of one of their games as well."

Match Report: Dunfermline 0 Manchester United 4