Jim McIntyre Post Hibs

10/07/10: "We are very pleased with the work out. Obviously you do not want to lose by four goals but it really is not about the scoreline, it is about 90 minutes on the pitch ...

Jim McIntyre was pleased with the severe test that SPL opponents Hibs provided for his team's first work out of the season:-

"It was brilliant when you can see the pace of the game.  Hibs have had a couple of games already (behind closed doors against Morton and Dundee) so it turned out a tremendous work out for us.  We played some really good stuff in the first half and could have had a couple of goals.

"Calum Woods and Davie Graham caused problems up the right hand side.  I was fairly pleased while being disappointed with the manner in which we lost two or three of the goals.  There were gifts that should have been dealt with better. Obviously at one the big goalie made a mistake but overall these games are about fitness and getting minutes on the pitch."

The Dunfermline U19 squad do not start back in training until Monday coming and while Hibs used 21 players Dunfermline were restricted to just the 15 first team players who were fit.  Neil McGregor joined Willie Gibson, Alex Burke and Greg Paterson on the sidelines and only a semi fit Steven McDougall was used from the bench.  After commiting all their outfield substitutes, Dunfermline were forced to finish the match with just ten men after Gary Mason was forced to leave the field with under ten minutes remaining.  Macca reflected:-

"You see how thread bare we are when we have got to go down to ten men so you cannot be too disappointed from our first game."

Gary told the website that he retired because of a twinge in his back but he felt perfect again by the time he left East End Park on Saturday following the game.  Lack of personnel concerns the Manager who said that he has space for another one member in his squad.

"I have room to bring in one but that will be it. Most teams in our league will be the same - playing with a squad of 18 or 19 players with a couple of 'kids' in that 18 as well.  It will be whoever keeps the most injury free that will have the better chance."

Hibs used more players in the friendly game than Jim McIntyre has at his disposal:-

"That just shows you the depth that they have in their squad that is great for them. But we are very pleased with the work out.  Obviously you do not want to lose by four goals but it really is not about the scoreline, it is about  90 minutes on the pitch and making sure that they come through it unscathed."