Manager on Friday

Thommo stays but Burchy and Simmy will be leaving

Jim McIntyre had some contract news today confirming that Scott Thomson had agreed a new one year deal and that Mark Burchill and Stephen Simmons will be leaving the club.

The Manager said that he was "absolutely delighted" to have Nipper for next season.

"He has only missed three games for me, he has done very well when he has played and I think we have lost only three times when Scott has played. His experience at the back has been invaluable. I said before when I took over I would be out to get Scott into the team because I had played against him many a time and knew his qualities. He is due a great deal of credit that he has agreed a deal on vastly reduced wages. It shows his desire to stay at the club."

Mark Burchill and Stephen Simmons are now on the look out for new employers, revealed Macca:-

"We spoke about contracts; they have done very well for me and I appreciate the effort they have put in while they have been here. But they have chosen to pursue other avenues, they are both good pros and I wish them both well. There is no decision on the other two (Stevie Crawford and Darren Young)."

The gaffer was away scouting on Tuesday and so did not watch his amateur trialist play in the reserves against Forfar Athletic but Gerry McCabe and Stephen Wright felt that he did quite well and so they will have another look at the player.

Turning to the league programme Dunfermline will be without Greg Shields and Kevin Harper for the trip to the Tail O' the Bank on Saturday.

"It will be a very difficult game; they are obviously fighting for their lives so we will need to be at our best. We will need to play like we did in the second half last week then we will definitely have a good chance.

"We were quite lucky the last time we were at Morton. They deserved at least a draw out of it, maybe more but you take the wee breaks when you get them. It is a difficult place to go and they are in that play off spot. With Clyde going to Hamilton they will see it as a real chance to close the gap.

"We know what kind of game we are in for and are under no illusions, they were unlucky last week at St Johnstone. They pegged two goals back and lost a goal in the last minute. We know that they are a threat.

"Davie Irons has taken over with Derek Collins and they will have them well fired up."

Dunfermline Athletic's pre season friendlies will include home games against Hearts on 16th July and against Dundee United on Tuesday 22nd July.