Boyling up for hot January

Pars sloppy at setpieces but Paddy working hard to hold his starting place for important upcoming games

Despite few expecting bottom of the table Pars to take anything from league leaders Celtic, Paddy Boyle was disappointed that the first foots left East End Park as 3-0 winners.

"In the first half we were too negative on the ball. Maybe the occasion was a bit big for a few people but you have to give credit to them. Stokes' finish was a fantastic finish - he put it on the postage stamp and from then on it was an uphill task.

"Wanyama got away for the second one, his movement is good. The third one was a free kick so I suppose that it wasn't from a corner kick.  That has been our downfall in recent weeks. We didn't do badly from corners but we still need to get on the training ground, get the shape and practice them.

"We have been going man for man at corners but zonal at the front post. It is a case of getting hold of your man and doing your job a little bit better. That goes for all of us.

"Granted they created chances in the last fifteen minutes when we were trying to get something back. Izaguirre came on and he was getting to the byeline but other than that it was disappointing that it was just three setpieces. It was just sloppy again."

Paddy was not entirely sure why he was yellow carded in 81st minute when he and Sung-Yong Ki were cautioned by referee Iain Brines:-

"Ki came in late and he was clearly not happy with it. Then there was a bit of handbags but as you know refs just decide that it is easier just to book both people than give a yellow to just one player.

"I had to jump over him, I knew I was getting the ball. He was a wee bit late but I am not going to make too much of it. It happened and its over with; he is not that kind of player, I was just annoyed that he came in that late. I don't mind a bad tackle but I think it was clear that I was going to get the ball."

The next few matches are extremely important for the team and the 24 year old left back acknowledged that the cup tie at Inverness gives them a short break from the league and after that there's an even bigger game looming up at home:-

"We have Hibs, so it is make or break. You have to take something off the teams around you."

The injury to Austin McCann has given Paddy the opportunity for a regular place in the team and the match against Celtic was his eighth start for the Pars, he added:-

"I get on well with Ozzie, the place was his for a while but he was injured and I have come in. Hopefully I have done enough to keep it but we will both fight for the position as long as we can. If we can both play at the same time in different positions that would be fine. I am doing what I can and that's all I can do."