The Manager’s Post Match Press Quotes
NSI
“Anytime you rack up that amount of goals at home and get a clean sheet it is a pleasing nights work.
“There are lots of positives.
“What pleased me the most was the intensity of the game. We had to play our game that we play domestically here and we couldn’t let them play their game, they are a good possession based team, they like to play out, they like to get plenty of touches of the ball.
“I think it is a really good game for us. It is the type of game that the players needed to be reminded that they are good players. Kennedy and Hayes were constantly being positive in the opposition half and getting crosses into the box, Marley was stretching the game and Curtis was in the box and got his goal. Scott Wright was pivotal, and Dylan was running the game, he was very influential. Ferguson does what he does, gets the goal and gets his penalty. Ryan comes on, gets his hat-trick and he goes away feeling good about himself.
“When we work as hard as did and are professional as we are then the likelihood of an upset becomes less. All that had to be on show, and it was in spades tonight.
“When I first watched this team, the plan was to always make them defend their box. Having a physical striker to play up alongside Marley was something that I was keen on. The plan was to always give Curtis 45 minutes. I am conscious that he is a good bit behind everyone else. It is good that he has managed to get his goal just before he came off at half time.
“We were debating whether to put on Bruce Anderson at half time but we were keen to reward Ryan Hedges for his recent performances, we played him up there and he gets his hat-trick.
“I think it is important for any team to have a natural striker up there with natural movement up there. To have six goals without Cosgrove, Edmondson and Main up to speed is really pleasing.
“It’s three wins but winning games isn’t easy. The last two wins domestically have been hard fought and we have had to grind them out. I feel tonight is a step towards getting a wee bit of rhythm and we go towards Sunday’s game regardless of what squad is available to us against a team that is going well.
Next Round
“Another home tie would be perfect for us. It is cup football over 90 minutes it brings a bit more trepidation but also excitement. If we get through, then we will be glad for that. The travel situation means a home tie is something that we would be looking for.
SPFL Hearing on Friday
“If they want to keep punishing my players then so be it, we will need to take it. My players have been dragged through the mud, kicked from pillar to post. They have been fined by the club; they have not been in a good place for a couple of weeks. It is great to see them out there enjoying the game and doing what they should be doing.
“There is no doubt that my players have been punished enough in my eyes. A lot of Scotland, right across the workplace let their guard down. My players were guilty of naivety rather than them thinking they were above any rules or laws. The whole of Scottish football took a check when they saw what my players were getting pulled up for. I think that every club in Scotland has not been squeaky clean. I think my players have taken a hit, they have been punished, they have been fined to a high level of money as well. We have had to face a lot of things in the last couple of weeks with injuries and suspensions, the whole nonsense that has been going and the embarrassment of that, if there is any more punishment to come then we will have to deal with it.”
