Manager post Hearts

Allan Johnston felt that his team put in a really good performance against Hearts, especially in the first half to go in 3-0 up at half time.

"There was a really good tempo to the game. Sometimes when you come to pre season games people are just going through the motions but we started really well and looked a threat going forward. We looked really good defensively so there were a lot of positives and we just have to make sure that we keep on improving."

Asked how he thought the season in the Championship would be the Pars boss replied:-

"It is going to be tough, you are playing against top quality teams week in week out. It is a big step up but you can see with the players that we have got that we are going to be competitive. We want to be up challenging the top four. We need to be producing performances like that week in week out."

The manager was delighted to see Gavin Reilly playing against his own club and demonstrating just how much of a threat he can be.

"We have a lot of good players who were here last year as well and they are all looking forward to the challenge."

Dunfermline were one of the first teams back in pre season training and justified this by the performance against Hearts. The manager continued:-

"We are trying to get as many games in to make sure that we are ready. We have another pre season game on Tuesday against Hamilton which is closed door. That will be another tough test to make sure that we are ready for when the season begins.

"We are still short of players. We probably need to bring in another couple of strikers. We have a couple coming back from injury and so we are going to be even stronger come the star of the season."

Three first half goals against Hearts did not suggest that it is strikers that are required but Allan continued:-

"Three good finishes and the pleasing thing, not just going forward but defensively as well, they did not look as though they were going to cut us open."

There was no surprise that the Dunfermline gaffer felt that the penalty awarded to Hearts with five minutes to go was really soft.

"I would have to see it again but I feel it was really soft. The whole defence defended really well and we looked a threat going forward as well."

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