A rover on his return

Joe Cardle:- "I love everyone who is here, everyone behind the scenes have been fantastic throughout.

Joe Cardle returned to East End Park on Tuesday night for the first time since being made redundant in March by the administrators charged with securing the future of Dunfermline Athletic Football Club. Although the night was charged with different emotions for him, he claimed that the most important thing was getting his new club, Raith safely through to the next round of the Ramsden Cup.

"It was an exciting game all round. From start to finish both sides were going for it and even at the end when we were 2-0 up, Dunfermline were still coming. If they had got a goal with ten minutes to go there would have been a chance for them to sneak another one in there.

"We were very happy in the changing room after the game to be into the next round of the cup. We can't be happier."

Coming back to his previous club was what he described as "a funny one" as what happened to him in March:-

"It was very strange. Walking into the away changing room was very, very strange. It was a great night and I cannot thank the supporters enough. Both sets were fantastic; I got a standing ovation from both of them at the end."

Joe was voted the Ramsdens Man of the Match and he was instrumental in creating the Rovers early goal for the centre back and it was the former Pars favourite who was taken down for the penalty that gave Raith a two goal advantage with twenty five minutes remaining-

"It was the second minute and Dougie Hill got on to my corner. We were happy with that and the lead. At the penalty I do not think Geggan was too happy with it. He did catch me and I went down because if not I had a chance on goal.

"I had a couple of good chances myself: one in the first half and one in the second half. I am upset that I didn't get a goal myself but happy to make one and get the penalty."

Joe had the advantage of knowing Andy Geggan, his marker, well having played against him in training and also before he was a Dunfermline player.

"I know what sort of player he is, he is a great player. He wasn't very happy with it but you can understand why. He did touch me but I wouldn't do that especially against a former team mate."

Joe was pleased with the reception from the Pars fans 'welcomed' him to East End:-.

"You are always going to get a bit of banter but the fans were tremendous. It was a bit of a strange one for me, even in the warm up I was getting clapped. It felt incredibly strange but I am happy that it is done now and out of the way unless we get Dunfermline again in the other cup.

"At least we are in the draw on Thursday. I won this cup in the first season that I came up with Airdrie so that's us into the quarter final and there's not many teams left in it. We have beaten the main team here in Dunfermline. It was a strong side that we played against and now we have every chance.

"The next game is on September seventh and whoever we get in the draw, I am looking forward to it and hopefully we can go all the way.

"Don't get me wrong we will concentrate on the league but we take on every game in our stride just now. We have a league game on Saturday and another cup game on Tuesday. We are just taking it game by game. If we can keep winning like we did on Saturday and another win on Tuesday we will be over the moon with that."

Joe stopped to recall some "great" times during his four years as a Dunfermline player.

"I love everyone who is here, everyone behind the scenes have been fantastic throughout. I cannot thank them enough for everything they have done for me.

"I am picking up the papers every week to see what is going on and hopefully things can be turned around so that the club can get back to where it belongs. Fingers crossed they go back to where they should be."

The 26 year old observed that the Dunfermline team had adapted well to losing experienced players and that they should do well this season.

"I have played with most of the boys, they have a strong team even though it is a young team. They are very strong for the Second Division and have a good chance this season. I know that they had a poor result on Saturday but hopefully they can kick on for the rest of the season and push for promotion."