No play-off with Dundee says Jefferies
Graham Gibson • Published 6 Jul 2012 10:30
2 Comments
PARS gaffer Jim Jefferies has ruled out a play-off with Dundee to decide who would take Rangers' place in the SPL - because he doesn't have a team.
A Dunfermline vs Dundee shoot-out was one idea mooted to see who would get to kick off in the SPL in August.
However, Jefferies shot down the proposal as the delay in taking a decision on Rangers' future meant he's been unable to bring in new faces to bolster his squad.
He said, "You can forget that (a play-off with Dundee) as we've not got a team. We had a clear-out at the end of last season and we've had to put on hold bringing players in.
"We planned to play in the First Division and if we do manage to get a place back in the Premier League it will be a bit hectic getting players in as quick as we can in order to prepare properly for the new season.
"There are boys that I've spoken to and I can't do anything concrete."
Jefferies found his squad short of manpower as he took charge of pre-season training for the first time yesterday (Wednesday).
But he did have a few old pals on hand to help with former Hearts and Hibs assistant boss Billy Brown and ex-Jambos Neil McCann and Kevin Kyle working out at Pitreavie.
He said, "You always look forward to the first day back but it's a wee bit different from previous times as we don't know what league we're going to be in yet.
"The first team squad numbers are greatly reduced compared to what I would normally work with.
"Every time I've come back I've always had 30-35 people but on a rough count there were 18 on the first day."
Among the squad were a lot of young players, such as Alex Whittle, Josh Falkingham and Ryan Wallace, who were brought in as the Pars cut their cloth for the First Division.
Jefferies added, "We brought in lads we were hoping to develop in the First Division with a chance to become Premier League players.
"Now we might have to ask them to take a bigger step to go from First Division players to Premier League instantly.
"If that does happen then we've got to bring in better quality players to help them."
Chairman John Yorkston added, "We are six boys short and we don't know what league we're going to be in, it's ridiculous.
"They can't leave it until 12th July to tell us or Dundee if we're going to be in the SPL or First Division, surely they could tell us sooner if Rangers are not permitted to join the SPL."
As for Brown, McCann and Kyle going through pre-season training, Yorkston said, "They're just helping an old friend out at training."
Have your say. Post a comment on this article.
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kaka30
309 posts
Jul 10, 09:17
Report commentI personally think the The Pars should retain their SPL status but it looks like Dundee are favorites to get that slot.
So i would have thought that if there was a chance of a play off then Jefferies & Yorkston would have jumped at it.
Recommend?
Yes 3
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MrsScottsWeeLaddie
48 posts
Jul 10, 10:26
Report commentIt's not looking good for the coming season if we can't cobble a team together that would give Div1 runners up Dundee a challenge? With the chance to stay in the top league at stake, I agree with kaka30 - What's that say about our ambition? Yikes - what's going on?
Recommend? Yes 3
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