Manager Post Raith Rovers

30/08/11: JM - "I thought we were the better side, we created more opportunities but didn't have a final end product.

MATCH PICTURES
Jim McIntyre was disappointed to be knocked out of the Fife Cup by Raith Rovers with the only goal of the game right at the death:-

"It's never a good time to lose a goal. I thought we were the better side, we created more opportunities but didn't have a final end product. We scraped the bar a couple of times, but I thought in the main if anyone was going to score it would be us. We are disappointed to lose.

" I thought some of the young lads did really well. It was good to get Craig Easton 90 minutes under his belt because he is badly needing it. He has not played since last season. I thought he grew as the game went on, so I was pleased with that.  I thought it was a good competitive match but we are disappointed to lose it."

Are you disappointed in that it looks like Nick Phinn and Dougal are injured:

"Its obviously been a damaging night in terms of personnel because we have lost Nicky Phinn to a recurrence of his hamstring strain which is a real blow. He has trained for over a week now and he has looked excellent, so it is back to the drawing board with that one.

"Steven McDougall has injured his groin and we will need to wait and see how that settles over the next couple of days. It doesn't look good though and he might be out for a couple of weeks."

Asked if it was beneficial in having the International break as a result of those injuries:

"Those two haven't been involved anyway of late, but yes anytime you have injuries you would prefer to have a break to try and get them back."

The match allowed some Under 19s to shoe what they could do.:

"I thought young Ross Millen passed the ball really well at times and showed good composure, I also thought Shaun Byrne when he came on stood out in terms of getting on the ball and passing it, so I was pleased with that. Paul Willis put in a good amount of work tonight as well so I was pleased with Paul."

Asked about the remainder of the week

"Its going to be a normal week but the players will have the weekend off. Then it will be a normal build up to the Killie game.

The Manager confirmed that Craig Easton had signed for Dunfermline:-

"Yes he has signed till the end of January. I am pleased with that. It will be a few weeks before we see the best of him as he has not played in a long time. He has a natural fitness so he will be a good addition to the squad."

Jim McIntyre played alomgside Craig at Dundee United:-

"We were team-mates for a couple of years. I know everything about him and he has not changed. He is a good player.  He is an energetic box to box midfielder who will get on the end of crosses. He's not a midfielder who will dictate the play, he will not go and get on the ball and start spreading the play. He is more of a "in your face type" midfielder who will put pressure on the opposition. He can get back and get forward, but he has to try and get in the team first and foremost, because we have some good players here."