Managers Post Killie

22/01/12: JM - "It is important to remember it's just one result, there is a long way to go ...

Jim McIntyre described the match conditions as difficult but was pleased with the way his team played in them:-

"I was really pleased, that win was a long time coming. A win, the performance and a clean sheet. The players were exceptional in what were difficult conditions to play in. With Kevin Rutkiewicz back, Mark Kerr in the middle of the park and a new goalkeeper; new signings give players a lift.

"Scoring that first goal gave us a bit of belief and then Iain Turner made a great save at 1-0 (from Garry Hay just before half-time) but I felt that we thoroughly deserved the victory. We could have been more ruthless as well when we got into good positions.

"Defeating Kilmarnock 3-0 away is a fabulous reaction from going out of the cup. It is important to remember it's just one result, there is a long way to go, there is just under half a season left and plenty to play for. Today is a shot in the arm but we go to another really difficult away venue on Tuesday night at Motherwell. It is not going to be easy but this will give the players a lot of confidence.

"We had a wee go at some of the players after the cup result in midweek and we got a positive reaction today. That is all you can ever ask for; sometimes a few home truths need to be told. Today they were fantastic.

"We pressed the game high up the park, the players did that exceptionally well because Kilmarnock do like to play and deserve great plaudits for some of the stuff that they have produced this season."

The Manager was prompted to praise Liam Buchanan who came into the starting eleven for the match against Kilmarnock:-

"He has been looking really sharp but frustrated as hell by not being in the team. I just felt today that he deserved the chance and he certainly took it."

Mark Kerr made a very impressive debut and the Manager added:-

"He was excellent, for me he is a top player. As well as having legs to get up and down he has composure, picks the right pass more often than not which can prove to be the decisive pass. He had a fabulous game considering that he hasn't kicked a ball in six weeks.

"You have to credit Gary Mason as well, he was playing slightly deeper than Kerr, but Kerr was getting forward more and that was the system we chose to go with David Graham and Joe Cardle doing a shift in there as well. They worked narrow to get wide to create and then getting back in to stifle the opposition when we were under pressure."

Kilmarnock boss Kenny Shiels stated that it wasn't a good day for Kilmarnock, sometimes you have to take it on the chin and get back to work again.

"There was unpredictability about the flight of the ball all day so that had a big influence.  There were three or four times in the first half when Dunfermline played it over the top and if you know Rugby Park there is a little hole there at the corner flag. Part of the pitch is blowing and part of it is not. The wind held up the ball on those occasions and enabled them to get in behind."

"I cannot talk about philosophies on how we play and what we do it relation to the conditions but there has to be adaptions made for that. I was disappointed in our players.

"I promised myself not to mention the conditions because it is so unfair and sometimes you have to impinge on your honesty and don't say things. I am not going to blame conditions. That is not fair. Dunfermline came here for a result and fair play to them let's not blame conditions."

Shiels was not at all happy with the suggestion that next weekend's Co-operative Insurance Cup semi-final against Ayr United had preyed on the mind of his players:-

"I don't know where you dug that one from. They are professionals and there is no way. Going into the game I have heard people say that but that's not the way footballers are. This was what we were about today and we start tomorrow morning to prepare for the next game. I do not receive that very well. It is a valid question that you should ask but if I thought that - well no way."