Nick's Phinnally

Last match of the season Nick still feels he has got to prove to the gaffer that he can do as good a job as anyone else.

Nick Phinn may well be looking forward to the match against Queen of the South but he has mixed feelings thinking that the season is maybe ending just as he is getting his chance:-

"I got a wee run of games and obviously I'd have liked to have kept it going, but there's nothing I can do about that now and I'll just try to end the season on a high and look forward to the start of next season."

Nick, as he prefers to be called, has now made 25 appearances for Dunfermline Athletic since making his debut against Hearts at Tynecastle just over two years ago and has made started in 15 of those 25 games. He does not however, consider himself to be an established member of the team.

"I'm just glad to get games when they come along. I've just got to prove to the gaffer that I can do as good a job as anyone else. I'll be back next season and in my third season as a professional so I'll be looking to be playing a lot more than I have been, so it's a big season for me next year.

Nick who is the youngest ever player to start an SPL match for Dunfermline (17 years 5 months 28 days) has been at East End Park now for seven years. Now at the ripe old age of 19 he can look over his shoulder and see other rising behind him:-

"There are a few young boys coming through who definitely look to have a good chance. Iain Williamson is ages with myself, young Paul Willis, Scott McBride and Calum Woods is still young himself; there are a few good young boys here."

Fond memories linger in the mind of Nick of the last time Dunfermline played Queen of the South at East End Park. His 78th minute goal made it 2-0 and put the match beyond Gordon Chisholm's side.

"That was my first senior goal, in fact it's my only one so far so obviously it would be great if I could give a repeat performance. If I was to get a run of games as a midfielder I would definitely be looking to add a few goals to my game.

"It would help to get a run of games in the first team. Your confidence is up and you're getting more match fitness, and hopefully I can add things like that to my game."

Dunfermline will have to lift themselves after the away defeat to play off candidates, Morton last Saturday.

"The defeat to Morton sealed our fate. It was disappointing to lose out on fourth spot. That'll give us a wee bit of added incentive to beat Queens, but their boys will be up for it as well. They'll be looking to show their gaffer they deserve a spot for the Cup Final. I'm sure both teams will be up for it."

Regardless whether or not QOS rest players Nick considers the match will be very competitive:-

"I'm sure the boys coming in know that anything can happen in the month leading up to the Cup Final, there could be injuries so they'll be looking to show their gaffer that if anything happens then they can come in and do a job."