Tuesday, March 19, 2024
SportScottish ChampionshipAllan Johnston insists confident Dunfermline will 'expect' to win derby with Falkirk...

Allan Johnston insists confident Dunfermline will ‘expect’ to win derby with Falkirk after unbeaten run

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ALLAN Johnston insists Dunfermline’s long unbeaten run means they will expect to win Saturday’s eagerly-anticipated derby against Falkirk.

The Pars stretched their sequence without a loss to 11 matches with last weekend’s draw against Dundee United.

That record includes a home stalemate with the Bairns on Boxing Day but the fixture in Falkirk back in October ended in a Pars defeat.

However, Johnston believes the confidence currently coursing through the East End Park squad ensures his side will have their sights set firmly on victory against their sworn enemies.

With Falkirk having beaten St Mirren 2-1 last Saturday, the Fifers boss said: “We’re due a win against Falkirk and it would be great to beat our rivals as well.

“We’ve played well against Falkirk this season but, as has been the case a lot, we’ve played really well and maybe not got the goals we deserved.

“They’ve got good players and last weekend will have given them a bit of a boost, getting a good result and a good performance.

“So, we know we’re going to have to be at our best.

“But it’s a great one to go into, with a good atmosphere. It will be like a cup tie and both teams will just be desperate to get the win.

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“We’re on a good run and we go into every game expecting to win, and the Falkirk game is no different.

“We’ve got good players, they’ve got good players, so we’ve just got to make sure we’re better than them on the day.”

Dunfermline strengthened their squad at the start of January with the capture of former Dundee United defender Callum Morris following his departure from Aberdeen.

But, despite the exit of striker Farid El Alagui and the farming out of four youngsters, Johnston did not add any further fresh faces.

He added: “You never say never, there’s always good players turn up.

“We signed John Herron on the last day of the last transfer window, with about 15 minutes to go, and we signed Farid after the window closed.

“You’re always constantly looking to improve the team but you don’t just take players for the sake of it.

“With the squad we’ve got and the young players, I think we’re okay just now.”

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