East Fife manager Gary Naysmith says he has plenty of sympathy for his former Montrose counterpart George Shields after the Methil club’s win at Links Park spelled the end of his tenure.
Shields tendered his resignation as Gable Endies boss the morning after Saturday’s 3-0 loss to the Fifers and, while Naysmith is obviously more concerned about what his side do, the Bayview boss reckons the episode is proof of just how fine the margins are in Scottish football these days.
“I didn’t really know George but I got to know George, especially in dealing witj him when Ross Campbell and Ewan Moyes went up there, and he’s a nice guy, so of course I’ve got some sympathy for him,” Naysmith admitted.
“It just shows you how close things are in this league.
“I didn’t really realise because I was playing in the game but when I watched the highlights back Montrose had some really good chances to be in front.
“We maybe had more possession but they probably found themselves unlucky to be 1-0 down at half-time.
“We played really well in the second half and I don’t think they really had another chance, but on another day they could have been in front at half-time.
“If they had got a positive result then George would probably still be in a job, so it’s obviously very fine margins.
“I’m just delighted we managed to keep our good run going and I think we fully deserved our three points in the end.”
The Fifers are now at home to Clyde tomorrow and are looking to extend their unbeaten run in 2015 to five games.
Indeed, a third successive win could take them up to fifth spot, depending on Berwick’s result, and that’s what Naysmith is aiming for.
Midfielder Allan Walker will return from suspension, but there are doubts over Kevin Smith, who picked up a knock on Saturday, and Sean Dickson, who dislocated his shoulder at Links Park.
Dickson managed to have his shoulder put back into place and played on, although he has been suffering from pain since then.
One player definitely out will be Caolan McAleer, who continues to nurse a troublesome knee problem.
“He got a bang on his knee against Arbroath and we’re trying to get to the bottom of it,” Naysmith added.
“He seems to be OK straight line running but as soon as he turns he feels it.”