Gerry McCabe on Thursday

30/08/12: GMcC - "I didn't realise how big a derby it was until I came here - the Raith and the Falkirk games - but these games have been right ding dong games ..

With Jim Jefferies taking the day off to comment on ESPN at Hearts Europa League game against Liverpool, it was his assistant Gerry McCabe who gave his views on Thursday and he claims that the Pars players know that every game now is a big game:-

"We have had a decent start; a good result last week and a good result during the week so hopefully we can carry that into Saturday. We know what it means to the fans so the boys will be up for it.

"I didn't realise how big a derby it was until I came here - the Raith and the Falkirk games - but these games have been right ding dong games over the years. They are great when you win, terrible when you lose. We feel the same as the fans but hopefully that is not the case on Saturday. Raith have had a good start to the season and we will certainly not be underestimating them."

Alex Whittle twisted his ankle on Tuesday night but other than him, Dunfermline should have a full squad to choose from. The Pars will be looking to build consistency after two good wins over Airdrie United and Montrose. Gerry felt that Dunfermline had been unlucky against Partick:-

"Partick have been the best team that I have seen this season; they have a strong squad of players. You would rather go into a game like this having won your last two. It would be great to get a result on Saturday as we go into the international break.

"The boys are growing in confidence and you have to remember that a lot of the boys have never played in this league. We have guys who have played at the top level in the SPL but we have guys who have come from the Second and Third Division. Josh Falkingham, Chris Kane have not played in this Division. Andy Geggan has come from part time football and Stephen Husband is new to this. Although he played at a level down in England it is not easy coming up here to play in this league. It is a difficult league but I think the boys are settling in to it."

With the target being promotion to the SPL Gerry McCabe is looking for his players to progress both as a team and individually:-

"They are ambitious and have a good desire about them. You can see in training that they are always up tempo; when you see that you know that they are going to go into games right." The assistant gaffer was pleased with the way new signing Callum Morris came through his debut against Montrose on Tuesday night:-

"They always say your first impressions are always the best and the first time I saw him in training I thought he looked decent - very athletic, good in the tackle and good in the air. There will be bigger tests for him to come but I think he will be one of those guys who trains as he plays. He puts everything into training and I think you will get that on Saturday when you see him.

"These guys are here to take the platform and the advice and we will help them as much we can but it is their ambition that matters. The better we get out of them, the better for everybody."

Gerry wanted to put on record his delight at the way 19 year old Shaun Byrne grasped his chance on his first team debut on Tuesday night:-

"He came on for the last twenty minutes and showed his capabilities. He was confident on the ball, comfortable with the ball, likes to pass it. I don't like talking up young boys but I think he could have a very good future ahead of him. It is great to see him coming on and he was unlucky not to score. The chance fell to the wrong side of him but it was good to see him make the run."

The midfielder has been a stand out in the Under 20s and Gerry feels that Shaun is ready to take the step up:-

"There is no doubt that he is talented and he is a great boy to work with. We should have played him towards the end of last season but he is getting his chance now. He has a good arrogance about him, but in a good way. He believes in his ability, that is a great thing and I think he will go a long way. Sometimes it looks easy for him; good players do that. Good players make the right runs and get themselves time on the ball and he certainly has that."