Manager Post Airdrie

17/02/09: "We knew we would get it tough but we got off to a fabulous start with a great strike from Graeme Holmes

MATCH PICTURES
Jim McIntyre was very satisfied with the result against Airdrie:-

"The be all and end all was to get into the next round, we did that and I am very pleased.

"I knew it was going to be tough; the games we have had this year (against Airdrie) there have been two draws and a win. In the win we had here we scored three fantastic goals that night yet Airdrie were the better side, if I am being totally honest. We knew we would get it tough but we got off to a fabulous start with a great strike from Graeme Holmes - especially with his weaker left hook.

"I felt we got a bit stretched and we spoke about the need to get tight on their wide men before the game, not let them turn and get running at us. We didn't do that, that is why I made the change with the early substitution. In the second half we got to grips with that better.

"Graham Bayne just doesn't score tap ins. The goals he has scored this year every one has been a contender for goal of the season. Obviously Graham's strike was worthy to win any game, in fact the two strikes were fabulous.

"Yet again when we get the chances I'd like us to be a bit more clinical, the same at Thistle on Saturday when we had a couple of good chances to kill the game off and we never took them."

The Manager had no argument about Airdrie's 14th minute penalty that put them back in the Cup game:-

"I thought it was a penalty from where I was standing. It looked to me as though he stuck a leg out so I am not complaining."

Jim McIntyre looked ahead to the quarter final that will bring SPL opponents Aberdeen to East End Park and very wary of the problems St Johnstone and Queen of the South posed him in last years competition.

"We will look forward to the game and with the two Jimmy's coming back it adds a bit of spice to it. Aberdeen have already been on saying that they would like 6,000 tickets, I am sure my Chief Exec will be absolutely delighted with that."