Dunfermline will give Icelanders a dressing down, insists Hunt

Published on Thursday 26 August 2004 12:54

DUNFERMLINE’S Noel Hunt says he had to take a second glance at UEFA Cup opponents FH Hafnarfjordur when they turned up in Iceland for the first-leg clash wearing an array of clothes he believed warranted a visit from the fashion police.

Hunt insists Dunfermline will be aiming to turn on the style tonight in the second leg at Perth’s McDiarmid Park and capitalise on the 2-2 draw in Reykjavik by giving the visitors a real dressing down.

He said: "They turned up in denim cut-offs, three-quarter length trousers and normal working clothes. They just looked like a bunch of guys turning up for a game of five-a-sides. But they really proved they could play and we will be alert to that as they will be well up for it. We must ensure we don’t get turned over.

"If we’d been offered a 2-2 draw in Iceland before the game we’d have taken it. It was a nice trip after the start but we need to sharpen up on a few things and get a win."

The young Irishman was in great form last Saturday despite Dunfermline’s defeat by Aberdeen. He has still to score this season but he revealed he has been given a vote of confidence from gaffer Davie Hay who believes he is poised to begin finding the back of the net.

"A lot came through me on Saturday which was great but all we need is a goal and a break. The gaffer and Billy Kirkwood have reassured me that if I keep playing the way I am playing a goal will come, so you’ve got to keep your head up and keep working hard. I am getting closer. I need to start my tally and keep it going."

Hunt believes the pace in the SPL gave Dunfermline the edge in the second half in Iceland after trailing 2-0 and will again help them this time around at

St Johnstone’s McDiarmid Park following the Icelanders’ refusal to play on the Pars’ artificial surface at East End Park.

"I thought their fitness played a part in our comeback and they were a bit naive," he said.

"They should have shut up shop when they were 2-0 up but they let us back into it. Apart from scoring they had a few other good chances. We need to be aware of that as they are not a pushover side. They play it forward very quickly and they are quite lively in the midfield and up front."

Hunt hopes team-mates Craig Brewster and Barry Nicholson will win their races for fitness to play in tonight’s tie. "Brew was the reason we got into the game in the first leg. It’s great to play with him and feed off him up front. Barry Nicholson was a huge loss for us on Saturday. He is a great player in his own right and gives us a lot of options. I hope he’s available as well."

Hunt admitted the Pars’ current league position does not inspire confidence. However, he insists a win tonight can kick-start Dunfermline’s season. "I don’t think anyone wants to be where we are and if you stay there long you end up in a relegation battle.

"To be fair, Dunfermline are not really a side who should be at the bottom of the table so it’s vital for us to get a win tonight as that will help us get our league campaign rolling."