Managers Post Queen of the South

Link to audio of both managers post match comments

John Hughes felt that given what was at stake on the final evening of the Championship season, his side got off to a great start:-

“It was absolutely fantastic and we were saying that we are at it. We created enough chances to score more goals but it was the second half performance that disappointed me. I don’t know what happened in the second half, if they had a whisper of something but we were flat.

“When we came out we were taking too long on the ball, too many touches and there seemed an acceptance not to play with that high energy. That alone is not acceptable but that has probably been the story of the season.

“I just got asked a great question there ‘how do you pick them up? What do you do? I’d like to think that I have boys in that dressing room that can pick themselves up and grab their team mates by the scruff of the neck and say listen ‘livelihoods are at stake here’.

“We are not wanting it easy, we are in the play offs. A few months ago we might have taken the play offs. We still have that chance and we cannot feel sorry for ourselves. We are hoping that we can stand up and be counted.

“It is not going to be easy with Queens Park, Airdrie and Montrose. We didn’t want to be in the play offs but we are still in there with a chance to do something. If we play like we know that we can play for ninety minutes, we will be okay. I’m hoping that the players are in the same mindset.”

You said the second half was disappointing, is that worrying?

“It has not been the first time, it is my biggest frustration. I was in talking to those in hospitality before the game and the biggest frustration at this club is consistency of performance. It is not game by game, sometimes it is 45 minutes here and there. It has to be 90 minutes being ruthless and being at them non stop. That is what we are going to have to do.

“We are playing against teams that we have had them all watched, we know what we are up against and it is going to be very difficult. When teams come here that will be inspiring to other teams. No matter who it is, Queens Park are up first and when they come here, I know the first leg is away from home, but I know that they will be inspired by that.

“We have to handle that and the pressure. You have to have that bit of know how and that bit of swagger to say bring it on. And you are wanting Queens Park at their best, giving it their best shot because that should bring the best out of you.”

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