JOHN HUGHES has been delighted with the “great response” he’s had from Dunfermline’s players and is eager to “rejuvenate” the fanbase.

The 57-year-old, in his first game in charge, guided the team to a convincing win over Ayr United on Saturday and received a fine reception from the stands.

Hughes and Dunfermline travel to Partick Thistle tomorrow (Friday) evening in the Scottish Cup seeking a third successive win, and he wants the style of football witnessed against the Honest Men to become their identity – and have the punters flooding back.

“I want an identity. The identity is what you saw on Saturday. There’s times we might not hit the heights, I’m fully aware of that, but it’s my job to keep driving,” he told Press Sport.

“That’s why, when you win, you don’t get too high. The identity of Dunfermline Football Club is what you saw on Saturday; real good football, getting at teams, always on the front foot but being hard to beat as well.

“The clean sheet pleased me just as much. I think the fans enjoyed that so that’s what I want to do. That’s what I’ll keep working towards and hopefully it will get us more wins than losses.

“I’ve had a great response but the fans can identify with that. That’s the message to the fans. One or two are disillusioned, I get that. but no matter where you are in the community – working, or maybe sitting in the pub instead of coming to the game – just come. Just come and watch; I’m quite sure we can rejuvenate you again and get you back enjoying your Saturday and your football.

“All part of it – and I know it’s the culture in Scotland and I’m quite sure it’s no different in Dunfermline – is, when your team win, you might have one or two beers and celebrate too much and wake up with a sore head. I’m delighted that we’re playing our part when that happens.

“It was great to see as well so many young kids there on Saturday. I get it, Rangers and Celtic, it’s easy to jump on there.

“But we want our local community to come out and support their local club. Even going forward, it’s our job to entertain them. We’re in the entertainment business; we have to go and entertain them, get out there, get them on the edge of their seats and get them singing.

“If it doesn’t quite happen, I can only apologise.

“It’ll not be for the want of trying.”