Managers Post Dundee

19/12/20: Link to audio of both managers post match comments

Dunfermline manager Stevie Crawford was by far the happier of the two bosses after his side came back from 3-0 down to draw 3-3. He said:-

“It was a very hard and tough first half, Dundee were the better side and the coaching staff and players know the reasons for it possibly. When you look at the cup tie where we played 120 minutes through the week and looking at the St Johnstone game today, they ended up losing the game to two late goals as well having played us to extra time.

“All I want to say is that the boys effort and commitment in the second half, albeit we lost two bad goals in the second half as well, was there for everyone to see what it meant for them playing for the club. That’s a few times now that we have done it this season.”

Iain Wilson was a half time sub and Kevin O’Hara and Lewis McCann were also introduced in the second half. SC added:-

“You could see with the substitutions we made, they all had a positive impact in allowing is to come away with a point.”

Declan McManus enjoyed the additional support he received as the management pushed on attacking players:-

“Declan was working tirelessly upfront on his own. We tried to push Kyle Turner up but Dundee had a foothold on the game. I am not going to take anything away from that. As I say, could we complain about being three down? Probably not.

“It will be a sore one for James (McPake) to take because they definitely took the game to us and took advantage of the heavy pitch. But again we have made a decision to go with a 4-1-3-2 to get Kevin O’Hara up with Declan. It brought us to life. Declan stuck away the penalty well and it was a great free kick to get us the point.”

The defeat that looked so likely at 3-0 down would have been sobering going into Christmas but to comeback to draw the match totally changes the mood. Stevie agreed:-

“I think if you look where Morton are sitting behind us. There were a few frustrated people out there last week when Morton came and won at East End but I have said it before anybody can beat anybody on their day. Morton are sitting in third place in a play off position.

“We knew that it was going to be a tough one last week and on the back off going out (the Betfred Cup) on penalty kicks against a really good St Johnstone side, to come up here and lost would not have made as good a Christmas.

“They have shown character, guts and commitment toda and that is all you can ask of your players.”

Away from the pitch the Scottish Government has released funding today worth £500,000 to each club in the Championship. That is a big boost isn’t it?

“That is something that I am hearing first from yourself, if that’s the case then anything that the Government is doing to help Scottish football will be greatly appreciated.”

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