The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Anderson hails side ‘pulling together’
EAST FIFE: Assistant looks to sign off having secured win over Brechin
East Fife continue life after manager Gary Naysmith’s move to Queen of the South at Glebe Park and they will again have assistant Dougie Anderson in charge.
A new permanent boss should be appointed early next week – with Barry Smith linked to the post (see below).
Anderson, who led the Fifers into the next round of the Scottish Cup in midweek with a 1-0 success over Edinburgh City, is looking forward to being at the helm for the last time ahead of his move to the Doonhamers.
He said: “It was all agreed before Gary went to his new job that I would take training this week and take the side into this game.
“It had been an unsettling period with games getting called off and the manager leaving. However, the boys pulled together and got us through.
“The fact that there was an agreement in place to keep things ticking over has minimised any disruption.”
Anderson added: “It was important for the club to get through to the next round of the cup and we did that.
“It was not a great game but we put in a gritty performance and we got the job done.
“It would be good to leave having secured a win in the league but I know that Brechin will be saying exactly the same.
“They have lost their last four games and they will be disappointed with that as they made a great start to the league.
“As part of that great start they won at our place and it would be good to make up for that.”
On-loan St Johnstone goalkeeper Mark Hurst is available after not being allowed to play in the Scottish Cup. However, Ryan Goodfellow could keep his starting place after his shout-out in midweek.
Mark Lamont is a major doubt after illness, and Chris Duggan continues to be out with a groin problem.
As has been the case for a while now, City have plenty of selection woes.
Paul McLean, Chris O’Neill and James Dale are sidelined, while Gary Fusco has a wedding to attend. Andy Jackson is a major doubt. On the plus side, Dougie Hill is back available and will go straight into the side.