The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Pars have a point to prove against rivals
DUNFERMLINE: Managet says side is detetmined to get the upper hand against Falkitk
Allan Johnston savoured the Old Firm, Edinburgh and Tyne-Wear derbies as a player and insists he knows just what tomorrow’s clash with Falkirk means to Dunfermline.
The Pars boss steered his team to a 3-1 victory over the Bairns back in August – the first time they had got the better of their bitter rivals in over six years.
And, after an Irn-Bru Cup defeat at the Falkirk Stadium last month, he is eager to give the Fifers’ fans that winning feeling again.
He said: “I played in the Old Firm derby, the Edinburgh derby and the Sunderland-Newcastle derby.
“As a player, those are the games you want to play in.
“If you put in a good performance against Falkirk, or whoever your rival is, the fans always love you, especially if you go there and get the goals that are needed.
“Hopefully the boys can go there and do that this weekend.
“I scored for Hearts against Hibs and it’s a great feeling, and hopefully we can send a lot of people home happy after the game.”
Johnston revealed the Dunfermline supporters were not slow in telling him all about the rivalry when he arrived at the club in in 2015.
But it was a disappointing experience in the fixture last term for the Pars, who suffered three defeats and earned only one point against their old foes.
There will be some extra spice to the latest instalment tomorrow, with former Dundee manager Paul Hartley – who watched from the stand as Alex Smith led Falkirk into last month’s clash – leading the Bairns for the first time in the derby.
Johnston added: “It’s a massive game against Falkirk. We know the rivalry and we know it’s a big game for both clubs.
“We’ve just got to make sure we’re 100% focused and we’re ready for a battle and also get the ball down and play as well.
“Paul wasn’t in charge for the cup game, it was still Alex Smith, so I’m sure he’ll want to put down a marker in his first game as manager against Dunfermline. “He’ll be desperate to get a result. “But we’re desperate to get a result as well. We’ll have a big following there and we’ve got to make sure we don’t let anybody down.
“We want to put a performance in and get the three points.
“You can see how big a game it is for the fans. When I first came to the club, one of the first things that was said was that it’s such a big rivalry.
“Both clubs are desperate to outdo each other and Falkirk have had the upper hand over the last couple of years.
“It’s important we turn it around this season and get the results and performances against them.”
You can see how big a game it is for the fans. When I first came to the club, one of the first things that was said was that it’s such a big rivalry. ALLAN JOHNSTON