Greg Shields Post Falkirk

"We are the second worse team in Scotland just now. We think we are a top six team and we are not. We have nine points after 13 games, that is

"We had a performance last week against Hearts and we did reasonably well. This week we got off to a terrible start. We were warned about it. Falkirk played well last week and all credit to Falkirk, they came out and did really well. They passed it well and they passed it round us.

"A few of the boys in the dressing room were saying that we created a few chances but at the end of the day I have to hold my hands up and say Falkirk deserved it."

Following a fairly good result at Tynecastle, Greg felt that he Falkirk result was a serious set back:-

"It is a bit of a rollercoaster. We did well against St Mirren then the next week we got beat. Before we were losing last minute goals whereas now we are losing four and three goals against Hibs and against Falkirk. You do not know what is going to happen now."

The affect of Jim Leishman's relinquishing the managerial chair is taking its toll on players and possibly results. The caretaker captain until Scott Thomson's return added:-

"I don't know how other boys fell but personally I would just like it to be sorted out who is going to become the new manager. We knew last week after the Hibs game when Leish left that somebody was meant to be coming in. Robbo took us for the Hearts game and all credit to him, he got a good result.

"When you hear about all who is and is not coming in it does become a bit unsettling but that is no excuse for the way we played against Falkirk. Alright we had a few chances, but that is no excuse."

Greg echoed the views of the players who all hope for an early managerial appointment and a swift turnabout in the fortunes of the Fife club:-

"I am hoping for Monday morning, as soon as really. Everyone is just waiting. Hibs were without a manager for ten days; Dundee United turned it around within a day so what is the hold up now?"

With a trip to Ibrox looming next Saturday Greg felt that an appointment was very necessary:-

"Let's hope so. It was rock bottom after the Hibs game like United were feeling last week. The performance against Falkirk was a little bit better than it was against Hibs apart from the last ten minutes but at the end of the day we still got gubbed.

"A lot of us are coming out in the press and saying that we have got good players but it is the usual saying, the old excuse and we should be performing better than what we are but we just don't do it.

"It is not the manager's fault, it is the players' fault and I am part of that. We are the second worse team in Scotland just now. It is underachievement, it has got to be. We think we are a top six team and we are not. We have nine points after 13 games, that is not good enough."

Had the Irish striker Anthony Stokes who scored his second hattrick in two weeks been the big gulf between the teams on Saturday?

"I don't think so, he is no better than what I have played against before. He scored three goals today fine and played keepy uppies but he is not any better. He did well but was there at the right time, got the right pass at the right time and if you go to somebody and say pass it to somebody else there is nothing I can do there.

"I was disappointed the first goal was a mistake from the cross into the box, second goal was another silly mistake when big Toddy went up for the header and I think he hit it with his left foot, it went up in the air and fell to the guy Thomson who ran through and slipped Stokes in for a good finish, great finish. Third goal was a mistake as well. I am surprised that Aaron Labonte didn't give him a rattle after his fourth keepy uppy!

"He is on fire just now with eight goals or something. It is just disappointing that it is a local derby. It hurts the fans and hurts the players but it is straight to square one again.