Hardie's high hopes

"The squad that they have here is relatively young so hopefully I can bring my experience to the table because at the end of the season there is a big prize to be won

Martin Hardie is keen to bring the same title winning experience to Dunfermline that he has already enjoyed at Partick Thistle and St Johnstone. He appears to have been a player that the Pars Manager has admired for some time:-

"Jim asked me to come in and train just before the transfer window closed. I said that I'd like two weeks under my belt and obviously he could have a look at me. I managed to play 65 minutes in a game on Wednesday there. That was my first game in three months so I was delighted to play a part in that."

After that bounce game against Motherwell Jim McIntyre invited Martin to sign for the club.

"I was pleased to sign for the rest of the season. 2010 was not the greatest of years for me. I suffered a double injury rupturing my cruciate in a friendly but that's in the past now. I just want to look forward to the future and win the league with Dunfermline and get the club back up to the Premierleague.

"They have not been out of the top three all season. There is continuity within the squad, the boys are very together and they are a right good squad. They have maintained the hard work right through a season that is needed to win a league. Obviously with myself and Kevin coming in from the same club, we know each other and hopefully we can take the club forward.

"The squad that they have here is relatively young so hopefully I can bring my experience to the table because at the end of the season there is a big prize to be won. The club is in a right good position to have a go at it.

"Albeit I am only in for the last three months of the season but the players have put in the hard work before and for us to have the chance to lift some silverware is a proud moment in your career. When you get to the later stages of your career, you relish it more that you do in your mid twenties. It is going to be an exciting two or three months ahead."

Martin felt "robbed" of the First Division title by Gretna and put that down to the Perth Club's success in Cup competitions interfering with the main job:-

"We clawed back a 16 point deficit but we played Celtic on the Saturday, Clyde on the Tuesday and went away to Hamilton on the last day of the season. We were within 15 to 20 seconds of doing it but in the end it was a bit cruel. You get over and won it two years later under the guidance of Derek McInnes."

Martin hopes that his experience will help Dunfermline see out games and pick up three points. The Manager states that Martin is a good footballer as well as having a huge physical presence:-

"It has only been managers who have worked with me who have noticed that. Because of my height people think all I have got is my physical presence but I know I have ability and I have managed to score a few goals from midfield as well.

"Jim has tried to bring me in twice before. It never actually got to any signing talks and I never knew anything about that until he told me. He has always liked me as a player, even when I played against him."