Manager on Friday

31/07/09: One player in as another is told that his time is up.

Neil McGregor in challenge with Stevie Crawford 12/04/08

Jim McIntyre was delighted to have finally got his man. Speaking on Friday the Pars boss revealed that he had been tracking Neil McGregor for some time after he had come to his attention while playing against him at East End Park in April 2008.

"I am pleased to get Neil on board. He has trained with us for a few days and then played in the game against Coventry. I just wanted a closer look to be sure he was over his ankle surgery that he had last season. He showed up fine so we were delighted to put pen to paper."

The injury in October 2008 had cooled Macca's previous interest in the player but the interest had been long term in his thoughts.

"When he got a bad injury you just have to let him get on with his rehab. That has probably helped us getting him because there were a couple bids in for him when he was at Clyde. "

Jim McIntyre was quick to dismiss the signing of McGregor was to form a central defensive partnership with former Clyde colleague, Chris Higgins:-

"They know each other but that is not behind my thinking in signing Neil. I have signed him because he is a good footballer and a decent defender. That is where we were short and I have been looking and looking.

"I first came across Neil as an opponent and I thought 'I like you'. He didn't play that well because Stevie Crawford set me up for a goal but he wasn't scared to mix it. My game is all about mixing it so that is what attracted my attention.

"Touch wood he will have an injury free career here and do well. We are confident he will do well." Referencing 24 year old McGregor's 99 league and cup appearances the Pars boss added "he has not really played a lot of football so it will be interesting to see how he handles two and three games in a week when he has not played for a while.

"It will take him a wee while to adjust to his new surroundings but I thought he settled in excellently on Wednesday night. He won a few fans with his crunching tackles. He is a fully committed player and he is aggressive so that is the type we are after, he is hungry to do well."

The home fans were on their feet giving the Pars team great accolade after their 1-0 win over Coventry City. Macca felt this was well earned:-

"The team played very well, they knocked the ball about well and they passed it about fast and quick. We have got good footballers so we need to play to their strengths, if you pass it quick and move it quick it makes all the difference. Against Arbroath we were taking an extra touch too many and it lets the other team get set up again."

As one player arrives it has been announced that another will be leaving. Simon Wiles was given a contract until the end of August to try and prove his fitness, but the Dunfermline gaffer says that the Englishman will be leaving at the end of August. Simon's last appearance for the Pars was at Airdrie in November.

"Unfortunately his knee has taken longer to heal. He is still struggling and the rehab is taking longer than expected. The Club have been excellent with Simon in giving him the three months to try and prove his fitness and they should be commended for that.

"It is quite easy for clubs when boys come out of contract to let them go. The boy has been looked after, he has had the best of medical care but unfortunately his knee is still not right. He still has a lot of rehab in front of him. We are gutted for the boy because he is a lovely boy and a good footballer as well. It is just unfortunate that we have not got to see the best of him.

"He loves it up here, he is really settled at the club - this is just the horrible side of football I'm afraid. Wherever he goes and whatever he does we wish him well."   29/03/09 Wiles: Sink or Swim

Simon Wiles in action v St Mirren in last season's Co-operative Insurance Cup

Dumbarton are the opponents in Saturday's Co-operative Insurance Cup match on the north side of the Clyde.

"It will be a difficult game; they are on a high and they have just been promoted. I watched them against Morton last week and there wasn't much between the teams. It will be a very tricky tie for us but we are going there full of confidence. We will show Dumbarton the respect they deserve, I know Jim Chapman their manager, and they have done very well under him. It is a credit to his club, the way they have handled the loss of their captain.

"The are a young side with not a lot of experience. They have a couple - Stevie Murray and Ryan McStay. It will be a hard game, these matches are never easy. It is so important that we approach it mentally. If we play the tempo that we have been playing then we will do alright."

Dumbarton v Dunfermline 21/07/07

Jim McIntyre was born in Dumbarton and he still has links there, "it is my hometown so hopefully I will be leaving with a smile on my face."

The Manager finished by confirming that the Alba Challenge Cup tie against Queen of the South will be played on Tuesday 18th August with a 7.45pm kick off.