Hughes hopes Pars ‘swagger’ to safety
JOHN HUGHES is convinced the play-off pressure should bring out the best — and a ‘swagger’ — in Dunfermline.
The Pars have been left facing a nerve-shredding fight for Championship survival after Friday night’s 2-1 defeat to Queen of the South helped confirm a ninth-place finish.
A semi-final clash with Queen’s Park, with the first leg away on Wednesday, followed by the return at East End Park next Saturday, is their first hurdle in the bid to avoid dropping into League One.
It has been a nightmare campaign for the Fifers, with Hughes replacing Peter Grant in November after a winless start in the league.
But Dunfermline spent just five weeks of the season outside the relegation zone and Friday night’s second-half collapse after taking an early lead will be a huge concern.
The Pars have scouted Queen’s Park, as well as the other play-off semi-finalists Airdrie and Montrose, and Hughes has warned that their opponents will rise to the occasion.
But he is optimistic his players can shrug off their disappointment and find what it takes to pull through.
He said: ‘We’ve had them all watched, we know what we are up against. It’s going to be difficult.
‘And when teams come here to East End Park, that will inspire them.
‘We have to handle that, we have to handle that pressure. We have to have that bit of knowhow and that bit of swagger to say: “Bring it on”.
‘You want that. You’re wanting Queen’s Park at their best, you’re wanting their best shot. That should then bring out the best in you.’
Meanwhile, Willie Gibson will meet with the Queen of the South board this week in a bid to land the manager’s job permanently.
The 37-year-old was handed the reins for the remainder of the season after Allan Johnston was sacked in February but he couldn’t prevent relegation.
He said: ‘I’ve said from day one I want the job long term. We have made improvements in the way we play.’ l BONNYRIGG Rose will play Cowdenbeath in the League Two play-off final after the Lowland League winners defeated Highland League champions Fraserburgh 3-2 on aggregate despite losing yesterday’s second leg 1-0.