PARS hero Stewart Petrie has said that it is “always a joy” to return to East End and has praised their “brilliant” supporters for the reception he is given.

For the second time as manager of Montrose, the 52-year-old will bring his team back to the ground he graced for a decade as a player, and secured his status as an Athletic icon, this weekend.

While he says he will be doing his “utmost to make sure that Montrose get something” from their League One encounter, Petrie is hopeful of seeing the Pars back in the top flight sometime in the near future, a club he says has a “special place in my heart”.

Last month marked 20 years since the legendary wide man and forward, who was brought to Dunfermline by Bert Paton and Dick Campbell in 1993, was awarded a testimonial to mark his time at the club, which included winning the First Division title in 1996 and enjoying another promotion in 2000.

In an extensive interview with Press Sport, he said: “It just shows you how time flies!

“It’s always a nice buzz when I was through, whether I’m going to watch a game, or be involved in a game. It’s brilliant, so Saturday will be no different.

“The fans are brilliant; you get a great reception, and it’s always a joy to go back. There’s no doubt about that. Although, it might be their parents telling them what I was like as a player, as it was a few years ago!

“It’s always great to get a nice reception from them because it’s on record how much I loved my time at the club. It’s still got a special place in my heart.

“James (McPake, Pars boss) has got them going well this year so, I’m sure, if you finish above Dunfermline this season, I think you’ll win the league.

“That says everything you need to know and, quite rightly so, they’re favourites to win the title. They’ve lost one game in the league, and we’re going into February. That tells you how good they’ve been, how consistent they’ve been, and how difficult they are to beat.

“I’ve no doubt it’ll be a difficult afternoon on Saturday but one we’ll look forward to. It’s great for the guys to go to a stadium such as East End, to play at a stadium that good, and on that surface as well.

“We don’t need to have to get the boys up for that game anyway, to play the league leaders, in their own place, in front of a big East End crowd.”

Although memories – “there’s too many”, Petrie says of his favourites – will flood back, he has a job to do as his team seek to maintain their bid for a promotion play-off place.

“I’m the manager of Montrose so, from three o’clock until quarter to five, I’ll be doing my utmostto make sure that Montrose get something out of the game if we can,” he added.

“After that, I’m sure I’ll be able to catch up with a few of the old faces around the place and share a few memories.

“It would be great to see them back in the top league, and hopefully that happens very soon.”