Managers Post Celtic

22/02/12: JM:- "I thought the players showed great discipline in what we asked them to do ..

MATCH PICTURES
Jim McIntyre spoke after the defeat at Celtic Park:-

"I thought the players showed great discipline in what we asked them to do. I would just have liked them to have done it just a bit further up the pitch but you have to credit Celtic for that because they hemmed us back.  We had worked on a defensive formation to try and hit Celtic on the counter.  What we could have done better when we gained possession of the ball, we could have shown a bit more quality on it.

"We were facing a free flowing Celtic side who have been scoring goals at will. Hence the reason for the set up of the team. We hoped to try and nick something on the break and we had two or three half chances. When you get them it is important to work the goalie at least. We should maybe have done better especially the one in the second half from Liam's (Buchanan) header.

"I wouldn't say that it was the big moment, it was a chance for us and when you get a chance and the scoreline is at 1-0 that can give you further belief to go on and get a result.

"You are always disappointed to lose any game, Celtic deserved to win but I was really proud of my players and the way they performed. It was a disciplined performance against a very good Celtic side who have been scoring a barrowload of goals (against opponents). There was no way I was going to come here and let the same happen to us.

"It was a great strike (from Charlie Mulgrew) to take the lead which relieved the pressure on them." Macca praised Chris Smith his keeper however:-

"He showed great character.  He has made a couple of mistakes this season and has been vilified in the press but you have got to say that he has responded in the right manner. I thought he had an outstanding game tonight.

The Pars Manager admitted that both Jordan MacMillan and Andy Kirk were out through injury but hoped to have them both back for the visit to St Johnstone on Saturday.

"We need to look after our own results and keep trying to climb the table. People are talking about dragging other teams into the relegation battle but teams will not come back to us, both ourselves and Hibs need to move forward on them. Right now it is the two of us and until we put a run of results together then it will continue being the two of us.

"We have a fighting spirit, we have shown that over the last few weeks - there is no doubt in my mind that they will continue to give everything they have got.  As a manager that's all you can ask.  You can always mump and moan about a wee bit of quality here and there but as long as your boys are together and giving you everything that's the main thing."

Celtic Manager Neil Lennon was delighted with the result that meant his side equalled their record of 16 successive SPL wins:-

"I am very proud of them and its a fantastic record that they have achieved tonight. This is a pretty special group of players considering they are so young and have been brought together for not a lot of money. What they have achieved this season has been fantastic.

"I think the scoreline flattered Dunfermline because we had total control of the game.  It's a clean sheet, a great win and that's all we wanted before the game.

"It was a wonder goal from Charlie Mulgrew, there was some movement on it and it just sums up the way that he is playing at the minute.

"It was Dunfermline's perogative to play the way they did but if we had been more clinical then Jim (McIntyre) might have had to change things. At 1-0 and going on the way it was, he was quite happy to hope for a breakaway or a set piece.  They looked dangerous at times but we got the second goal."

Hear more at the Dunfermline Media Centre