Manager on Tuesday

Allan Johnston feels that pre season training has got off to a good start.

Speaking exclusively to this website Allan Johnston said:-

"It has been good. They have been working really hard in the last few days and obviously need to step it up over the next couple of weeks to make sure that we are ready for the start of the season."

Pre season training started last Thursday and that began with fitness tests.

"Some boys did exceptionally well but overall as a squad they came back in good condition and that is what you are looking for. Now we have to make sure that we get them even fitter and a wee bit stronger as well ahead of the new season."

Jason Talbot, Callum Fordyce and Ben Richards-Everton have been Allan Johnston's first three signings and he claims that they have fitted in well right away.

"They have been around the dressing room and played a lot of games between them. There is a good bit of experience there even though Ben and Callum are very young, they have still played a lot of first team games. Jason is older but he was the captain at Livingston so brings experience and is a real winner - that is the type of player that we want to recruit.

"Those with experience can guide some of the younger players both on and off the pitch. Overall we are just looking for good players who can give a bit of mobility about the team, a bit of energy and a bit of pace."

There were a couple of new faces at training on Tuesday and the manager admitted that he would be looking over a few potential signings over the coming weeks.

"Just like other clubs do we will look at a few different players and assess them. Sometimes it is good to get them in to get a look. I am looking at a few positions, we need a few players. We have been trying but there is still a long way to go before the start of the season. We will be looking to bring in players on loan as well."

Former Dundee and Peterhead keeper Paul Mathers will be helping out as goalie coach for a couple of weeks. Forty five year old Mathers has left that post at St Mirren and Johnston admitted that is a position that will be looked at especially when keepers are signed to join the complement of younger keepers.

"We will be looking in the first place at bringing in a more experienced goalkeeper who can do both but right now we have young goalies and they need somebody to guide them and make sure they are improving."

Pre season training will continue with double sessions to drive up fitness. The manager said that most of it will be with the ball but there will be a few running sessions as well. It is all about making sure that the boys get as fit as possible and not picking up injuries.

After training Thursday and Friday the squad was given the weekend off before resuming on Monday. There will be a fair number of double sessions but Allan said "I don't want to kill them!"

Asked about striker Ryan Wallace's fitness the gaffer had good news for Pars fans, he said:-

"He has done really well and has put in a massive effort. You can see that he has been doing a lot of work over the summer to try and get himself into good condition. We are hoping that will be like having a new player. He is a quality player, we just have to be careful with him over the next couple of weeks."

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