Burns back in the South

Paul Burns:- "Once we get our passing game going we stamp our authority on the game."

Being in the next round is all important to Burns

Paul Burns was delighted to start in the Pars win over an Annan:-

"The main thing was to make sure your name was in the next round of the Cup and we have managed to be that,  At times we knocked the ball about well, maybe we got caught up a bit playing too many long balls but once we get our passing game going we stamp our authority on the game."

Two of his opponents - Andy Aitken and Sean O'Connor - were his team mates in the Queen of the South 2008 Scottish Cup Final team against Rangers and although still in the dressing room, Paul was told that his name was booed by the Annan Athletic fans when read out by the stadium announcer. The former Queen of the South player claimed this was nothing that would upset him since he was concentrating on making an impact on his first competitive start for Dunfermline:-

"It is just part of football, you try not to let it annoy you and just get on with your game. When you come to a new club you want to impress and you want to start. Obviously I knew the gaffer would have his team in mind for the start of the season and probably stick with the boys who had got him up. It is up to me to get my head down in training, work hard and hopefully you can be in the starting eleven."

Paul feels that he can contribute as much defending as he does attacking:-

"It has always been a part of my game at Queens - a bit more defensive than attacking. I can do both sides of the game. I was just happy to get a start today and whatever position the Manager wants me to play I am happy with that."

Paul's starting debut lasted 80 minutes until he was subbed by Steven McDougall. His aim now is to start in the SPL after the 25 minutes he got when he came off the bench against St Mirren in the opening game:-

"Monday night we maybe got caught up a bit; we didn't play the way we wanted to play but we came out in the second half and started to get the ball down. That's what we are all about - we are a passing team and have players who can hurt teams and if we get them in the right areas then I am sure that they will finish."

It was Dunfermline's style of football that made the 27 year old's decision to leave the Doonhamers after over 270 appearances for them:-

"The big attraction was that they were in the Premier Division and having played for Queen of the South I knew the way that the Manager wanted to play and that always appealed. At Queens I had been stuck in a defensive minded team so this is a change and a fresh challenge for me."

Paul has been delighted with the reception he has received from his new teammates even after they had to listen to his rendition of Neil Diamond's Cracklin Rose while on the pre season training in Austria:-

"The cameraderie in the dressing room is brilliant, the boys have made me really welcome. As you have probably heard I have had to sing my song which is part of the initiation at Dunfermline. It is light hearted and a bit of fun.

"The Manager is all part of it but the boys know when they have to get their heads down and get into the hard work."