Managers Post Ross County

29/03/11 JM:- "Big Hardie was planning to take it before he was told to get into the box by a couple of the players because they know how dangerous he is.

Jim McIntyre was delighted with his side's late, late winner:-

"It didn't leave any time for the opposition to come back when you score that late.  We thought we had missed our chance when we missed the great one just before it and we thought our fate was sealed and it was going to be a draw.  I was really proud of the players, they just kept going.

"It was a great run from Ozzie playing his captain's part to get forward to get the free kick.  Big Hardie was planning to take it before he was told to get into the box by a couple of the players because they know how dangerous he is. He got his head on a great delivery."

It was a match of few chances but Macca praised his goalkeeper Chris Smith for keeping out Andrew Barrowman.

"It was a really great save; I don't think the boy connected properly and then just before we scored we had a really good opportunity when Pat Clarke couldn't quite get there."

Hardie's header took the Pars to the top of the league but the Manager was quick to point out that having played 31 games they are at least one game ahead of the others:

"The other teams will have a game in hand but we can only beat whoever is in front of us and try and win games.  That is all we are focussed on."

Jim McIntyre explained that he had received a call from Jake Hyde's agent asking if we would be interested. 

"Obviously Dundee cannot sign anyone; he played particularly well against us and scored a couple on Saturday. We felt that he gives us another option. He has signed as an amateur and we are pleased to have him.  We don't know how long Andy Kirk will be out with his back problem so we needed a little bit more cover in there."

The Manager's final words was for the "fantastic" travelling support:-

"They didn't see a great game tonight but they kept shouting us on and especially pleasing for those who have made that trip. 

"I am delighted for the boys because there's be a lot of games where we have dominated this season and not got what we deserved so to come here, and not play quite as well, it is nice to get that late late winner."

Deflated Ross County Jimmy Calderwood felt that his team did not deserve to lose:-

"We gave everything, it is a sore one but good teams recover. You see how happy Dunfermline were, and rightly so.  They have come to a very difficult venue and they know that.  They got a stroke of luck and won the game. I think a draw would have been a fair reflection on the game."