Jim Jefferies Post Rangers

30/12/13: JJ - "The difference between the two sides was that their most experienced players who played tonight, all played well.

Listen to this Jim Jefferies Post Match Interview

Jim Jefferies felt that the 4-0 scoreline against Rangers was a bit harsh on his young side who, he felt, contributed to their own downfall:-

"There was no doubt without Callum Morris and Ryan Thomson we were lacking in depth and setpieces were always going to be a concern when you look at the power that Rangers have got there. We said to them that the one thing that you can't give them is free headers. We did that at the second goal and got punished for that. That was proved to be right; you have to be in there challenging and we contributed to the third and fourth goals with sloppy clearances.

"It was a bad pass out of defence from Kerr Young. Then he miskicked one, maybe through tired legs I don't know but he should have put it in the stand. These goals were results of poor mistakes. They are young boys and I hope they can learn from it but as far as effort and as far as having a go, I thought they were tremendous. They worked their socks off and played some good passing football today.

"The difference between the two sides was that their most experienced players who played tonight, all played well. I think maybe the criticism they got for the draw to Stranraer at home was always going to be an effect. If you ask Rangers how they played, they will say that they played really well and that's the bit of respect that we got.

"It was great to see the stadium as full as I have seen it here. It was a great atmosphere, you want more of it and I am not going to criticise young boys too much. It was a bonus game for us and that's why we were very positive in the way that we set the team up. At the end even at 3-0 down we still went 4-3-3 and tried to do something. Experience is always the thing at that level and it was always going to tell against us. It did tonight because Rangers played well and it was their experienced players who set the tone tonight. We just didn't have any experienced players at all on the pitch. It makes a big difference though.

"We will not get too down about it. Our games - the ones that we are most concerned about - are against the teams outside Rangers. We have handled them well and we are looking to continue that although the injuries tonight look like Josh (Falkingham) has a broken bone in his hand and Ryan Williamson will go with him for x rays.

"We have a small squad but fingers crossed, hopefully they are not too bad. We have two big games coming up against Stenhousemuir away and Stranraer at home. They are the games that matter now and our young players will learn from tonight."

The Manager was pleased with the way his side started the match and with a bit of better fortune could have taken the lead:-

"We had a couple of great opportunities. Andy Geggan wasn't far away with a header but then they went straight up the park and scored. There was a corner that came in where Cammy Bell made a good save. We started bright, passed the ball well and we were brave on the ball. We never panicked or resorted to kicking the ball up the park. We played well, we got Ryan Williamson down the right hand side a lot using his pace.

"We were pleased and at 1-0 you are still in the game. It was a good goal they scored, it was a great shot that we maybe could have closed down a bit quicker but we didn't. Daly was always going to be a handful, particularly to young kids like that. Lewis Martin and Ryan Wiliamson both seventeen year olds, came out of it with huge credit tonight against the best team in the league.

"There were a lot of positives for Dunfermline tonight, they are a cracking wee side and I thought it was unfortunate that they made mistakes against a team like Rangers who will punish you.  You might get away with it in some games but you will not get away with it against Rangers and that turned out to be the case."

The mood in the dressing room was definitely down and disappointed but the Manager was glad that was how the players felt:-

"They were keyed up before the game tonight thinking that they could get a result, which is great. They are down but they have nothing to be ashamed of or be too down about. I think they are more down about the goals they conceded late on - the third and fourth. They could have been avoided, it was just sloppy play. Just a slack pass punished and a mis clearance punished.

"You can play all you want, pass it about, work your socks off but you cannot legislate for sloppy things like that. They only way that you can defend it is on grounds of tired legs because of the effort they put in but it shouldn't happen."

The gaffer confirmed that Ryan Williamson's injury was to his ankle saying that the youngster had got caught when he slipped.

"He couldn't get any movement in it but the doctors managed to free it up and we will just keep our fingers crossed that there is nothing serious. Josh got injured early in the match, he battled through with it and I thought that he was our best tonight. He was in there against Black and Law but for me he stood out and played a great part."