A game to shout about
Ross can’t wait for Pars clash
Jack Ross admits St Mirren and Dunfermline are two sides in quest of the same ambition as they prepare to face one another tomorrow afternoon.
Despite the season just being five games old, the clash at East End Park has already been billed as a top-ofthe-table clash.
Saints boss Ross has made no secret of his ambitions to take the club into the top flight this season, while The Pars also appear to be set for a title battle following a stunning start to their own campaign.
The St Mirren fans look set to back the Buddies in their numbers, with all the club’s supporters’ buses sold out for the trip to Fife.
And Ross insists that they will be in for an exciting afternoon of football between two teams in fine form.
Ross told Express Sport: “The way the two teams have started the season, and where they are in the table, should make it an entertaining clash.
“Dunfermline have retained a good number of the side that they had last year. I felt they were a good side then too.
“They have a good attacking threat both centrally and from wide areas, so we know we will have to go there and defend well throughout the game.
“It is still really early but we have both given ourselves a good start in the opening games.
“Both teams will believe that they have enough quality in their squad to challenge at the top end of the table throughout the whole season.”
And Ross was quick to praise the job done by Pars boss Allan Johnston following his rebuilding of the side over the course of the last three seasons.
Ross added: “I had a spell at Dunfermline right at the very end of my career and they are a bigger club than some people realise.
“Allan has done well there ever since he has taken the job, and he has probably got to the stage now where he is casting his aspirations towards trying to take the club out of that league – as I am here.”
Liam Smith and Dale Hilson both look set to return to the fold this weekend as the two teams go head-to-head.
However, given the club’s recent injury record, Ross admits that the side is only going to get stronger as the weeks go on.
He said: “It is credit to the players that when they have had the opportunity, then they have taken that.
“There are some good players amongst that group that we haven’t had available, so it will be nice to maintain our position at this end of the table as we welcome these guys into the group and strengthen again.”