Manager Post Brechin City

25/07/18: Link to audio of Allan Johnston`s post match comments

“Some of the attacking play was brilliant and you could see some of the qualities that Faiss brings. He is unbelievable, that is his first game. Some of his touches, his skill - it is great to have somebody of that quality obviously joining the team.

“Then you see the subs coming on - Aidan Connolly, Andy Ryan and James Vincent. There was some real quality there throughout the whole game. It was a really good team performance and you can see the confidence in the team and it is great to watch.”

The manager withdrew Faissal El Bakhtaoui at half time when he was on a hat trick but he explained that was just because it was his first game:-

“He is building up having missed the majority of pre season, I wouldn’t like to see him when he is fully fit. He is just getting up to speed but he still has the sharpness and the touches and that desire as well.

“That goal where he charged down the keeper just shows you the desire and hunger that she has got. It is brilliant when you see that. He is an inspiration to the whole team when you see people closing down like that.”

Andy Ryan came on as a second half substitute, he scored two and with a little more luck might have grabbed a hat trick.

“There were some great finishes and he played a great pass for one of the other ones as well I am sure. That is what you want, you want your players to come in and make a difference. They are all chapping at the bit, desperate to play and it gives you real selection problems when you see performances like that.

“It is a great problem to have. You can see the strength in depth that we have got, even the boys who weren’t playing as well. I am sure tha5 everybody will play a big part this year.”

Although already five nil up, the Pars lost a 61st minute goal when Dene Shields got a goal back for Brechin City, AJ said that although it was not a good thing to lose a goal it got the right reaction out of his players scoring again within three minutes:-

“The defenders weren’t happy about losing a goal. Sometimes you need a wee reminder that they cannot get away with any slack play. That was just a wee wake up call.”

Although sitting on nine points after three Betfred Cup ties, the team cannot wait until they face Stirling Albion on Saturday in the final group match. The manager added it is not that often that you score as many as seven goals.

“It is difficult to score against any team no matter who you are playing against and I’m sure after a result like that they (Stirling) will sit in and make it difficult for us. With the quality that we have got hopefully we can break them down.”

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