Paul Gallacher Post Stirling
Sunday, 26th Aug 2007"It was disappointing to lose another player, that's four on the bounce now but we showed some determination and battled away. I got a save before we went up the park and scored a late goal.
Paul Gallacher was glad to be back playing again after a gap since his last competitive match in the Football League Championship back in February. His debut against Stirling Albion was his first full game of the season came after two 45 minute spells in pre season with Norwich City. He commented after the game:-
"I am still a bit rusty obviously, there are one or two things still to get touched up on. I am just glad to get it over with. The win is massive because it is a big week for us but hopefully this is the start of something that we can build on because we have some big games coming up.
"The boys were fantastic from the first whistle, they can pass it a bit better and maybe take our chances that would make life a bit easier. We deserved the victory."
There was a little doubt over whether or not Paul was eligible for the UEFA Cup tie on Thursday:-
"I think I am, I hope I am. I am pretty sure that I am eligible so I am looking forward to that."
Maurice Malpas was playing for Dundee United when Paul Gallacher was handed his SPL debut with the Arabs in February 2002. Jim Hamilton was also a United player at that time but he is just one of a number of team mates who were already familiar to the Glaswegian when he arrived at East End Park. Paul agreed that for Dunfermline's quality the team are definitely underperforming:-
"When I walked into the dressing room the first day there were only three boys I didn't know. There is unbelievable talent in that dressing room. On paper we have the strongest team but games are not played on paper, we have to go out on the pitch and win games. We did that today, we deserved it, we looked strong and took our chances and Harps got a great goal in the end there.
"We were in control without really taking our chances but if we kill them off early it would be easy for us. The longer you go, they are always thinking that they have a chance. They got a bit of luck at the penalty, obviously I would say that it was never a penalty."
Paul had a word with referee Stephen Finnie after his penalty decision but he had little to tell about the conversation that pointed out the whistler saw Stevie Bell's 73rd minute chance to be a goalscoring opportunity:-
"I just tried to find out the rules basically. I think they have changed, he has made up his own rules today. He explained to the letter of the law why he sent him off. I still don't agree with him mind you.
"It was disappointing to lose another player, that's four on the bounce now but we showed some determination and battled away. I got a save before we went up the park and scored a late goal. We are absolutely delighted and will take it anyway it comes. I felt we played well today."
The 28 year old former Scotland keeper is at East End Park until January and is hoping that the spell at Dunfermline can put his career back on track:-
"A mixture of injuries and the manager bringing other players in. Then I got a start, the manager got sacked - it has just been a rollercoaster down at Norwich. Hopefully it will level out now and I will get games in. I want to play every game I can but if Dunfermline can get promotion that would be absolutely fantastic. Hopefully I can contribute to that."
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