Imperative to stay in the race

"Hearts fans will want to see their team winning, the same as the Dunfermline fans would like to see the first home win of the season.

When asked about the necessity to record a win on Saturday Andy Kirk was quick to point out that now every game is a must-win game for Dunfermline.

"All the games have been described as cup finals for us and we need to take the most points as we can from the remaining six games to give ourselves a chance."

The 32 year old striker was equally quick to rule out any softening in resolve of the travelling support given a Dunfermline win could have a detrimental impact on Hibs survival hopes:-

"Hearts fans will want to see their team winning, the same as the Dunfermline fans would like to see the first home win of the season. We haven't won a game at home all season and it is something that we want to put right quickly.

"If we could get one result it would give us something to build on. We are running out of games, running out of time and Hibs got a good win on Sunday that puts a wee bit more pressure on us. If we can put in a good display and with a little luck get the result that we need that keeps us in the race.

"It is going to be tough, Hearts are a good side and it will be a game that we need to be right on top of to get anything out of."

Andy was able to compare his experiences of Jim Jefferies currently to those in 1999 when he signed him for Hearts, aged 19, from Glentoran for a fee reported to be £50,000.

"It was different circumstances. I came in as a young player, getting my experience coming on now and again for the first team. I was training with the first team but things are different now. He has a lot of players that he doesn't know and he is trying to get to know the strengths and weaknesses, while preparing for the games as well.

"He is a vastly experienced man who knows the game inside out. He will have us set up in the right way to combat Hearts. It would be nice to go into the split having got that first home win that would give us something to build on.

"Until the day comes where it is mathematically impossible for us, we will keep believing, keep fighting away. Football is a strange game and one win could maybe become two wins in a row. Everything would then change so that is something that we just keep holding on to."