DUNFERMLINE goalkeeper Paul Gallacher is hoping Christmas brings an extended stay for himself at East End Park and for caretaker Jim McIntyre in the managerial position at the club.
McIntyre celebrated his first win since taking over from the sacked Stephen Kenny as Queen of the South were defeated 2-0 on Saturday and Gallacher, whose spell on loan from Norwich is due to expire at the end of the month, believes it could be the s
ign of things to come.
"I would like to see Jim get the job," said the former Scotland international. "He has brought a bit of fun back to the club and is doing an excellent job so far. I am enjoying being at Dunfermline and getting first-team football and I am hoping a deal can be sorted out."
Mark Burchill set Dunfermline on their way with the opening goal on 32 minutes and Nick Phinn completed the scoring with 12 minutes left. Queens were dealt a further blow by the news that Neil Scally could have ligament damage after catching his studs in the turf.
St Johnstone responded brilliantly to going a goal behind to Livingston to ease to a 5-2 victory at McDiarmid Park. Andy Jackson ended a personal five-game scoring drought with two goals, while Liam Craig, Rocco Quinn and Peter MacDonald added to the rout.
Livingston had taken the lead through Colin McMenamin, with Tomas Pesir scoring a last-minute goal that was scant consolation for manager Mark Proctor. "There were far too many individual mistakes in defence," said Proctor.
Paul Di Giacomo finally had something to show for his loan period from Kilmarnock as his equaliser earned Partick Thistle a point in a 1-1 draw against Morton at Firhill.
"I wish I could have done more during the loan period but I have not had as much time on the park as I would have wished," admitted Di Giacomo. "I am going back to Killie at the end of this month so we will have to wait to see what happens."
Morton's day got off to a bad start when Alex Walker was ruled out after a clash of heads with a team-mate in the pre-match warm-up, although Jim McAlistair put them ahead. Scott Chaplain missed a penalty for Partick before Di Giacomo's counter.
Clyde and Stirling Albion were stymied by a frozen pitch at Broadwood, a morning inspection bringing the postponement.
The full article contains 416 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
