Chris Smith Post QOS

"It was good to get a game since that's just my second game in eight months, hopefully there is better to come because I wasn't happy with it.

Following his on-loan signing Chris Smith was delighted to return to competitive football in Dunfermline's game at Dumfries on Tuesday night. Apart for a closed doors game against Falkirk three weeks ago the St Mirren player has been out for over eight months with a knee ligament injury. Before boarding the team coach outside Palmerston, the keeper had a few words for the website:-

"It was good although I have just spoken to the Manager and said that I am very very rusty. It was good to get a game since that's just my second game in eight months, hopefully there is better to come because I wasn't happy with it. I wasn't happy with how I did in the first hour to 70 minutes. I just need to get that match experience back again. Hopefully I can pick it up again for Saturday.

"The boys in front of me were outstanding - the defenders were brilliant, everybody played their part and did really well. It was a great result on a very heavy park that didn't give much of a chance to play football. I am delighted with a 2-1 win down here."

He made his debut in First Division football with the Buddies but that was only two end of season games against Ross County and St Johnstone in 2005. Nevertheless he was well aware of the tightness of that division and the enormity of his task against the league leaders. The slippery ball in horrid first half conditions did not make for a comfortable baptism for the new keeper but he played that down:-

"I had a couple of saves but they were just straight forward. I am looking forward to playing as many games for Dunfermline just now for the short space of time that I am here. Hopefully I can do well and help them push up the table."

The 23 year-old keeper's last match for St Mirren was in March when he was part of the successful cup win over Celtic. He will be at East End Park until mid January and added:-

"The Manager has brought me in and hopefully I can repay him by putting in some good performances."

Chris certainly gave his all on his Pars debut but there were fears when he required treatment in added time. A collision with Queens striker, Derek Holmes meant that he sustained a cut to his right ear:-

"That's part and parcel, I'll take that any day of the week as long as we get a win. I have played with wee Burkie and know a lot of them from playing against them at youth level. They are a good bunch of lads and hopefully I will do well."

After 80 appearances for Dunfermline, Paul Gallacher moved to St Mirren in the summer and the on loan keeper says that the former Pars keeper has made a massive influence on Chris' development since his arrival there in the summer.

"Gall is a great guy. I think the Manager spoke to him before bringing me here and Gall said some nice things. He is a real professional and will do well for St Mirren. He has been by far the best performer this season and I am sure that he can go further."

Despite making nearly 100 appearances for the Paisley club, the competition for the Saints goalkeeper's shirt will not be easy for Chris given Paul Gallacher's success in the SPL with Gus MacPherson's team; success that saw him called up into the international squad after an absence of over over five years.

"I have been ready to go and play games for about the last two months but trying to get games organised is not easy when there is no reserve league in the SPL."