By Jim Davie

SCOTT THOMSON reckons the Dunfermline board is right to take its time over the appointment of a new manager and make sure they get the right man.

Jim McIntyre takes temporary charge for the third time against Queen of the South today and the indications are he will also be in command for the Boxing Day game at Cappielow.

The former skipper, known as Nipper, said, “I kind of agree with the board taking their time.

“It’s a big decision. You don’t want to rush into it and maybe not get the right person in.

“You want to take your time, see what your options are and get it sorted out after that.

“Macca’s come in with his own ideas and if he gets the job the boys will be happy and if somebody else gets the job we’ve got to be happy with that.

“It doesn’t matter who comes in, we’ve all got to play for him.”

The caretaker boss revealed yesterday he has not been interviewed for the post and admitted that the current injury situation was not making it any easier for him to stake his own claim.

“That’s what managers are tested on,” said McIntyre. “In an ideal world I would have a full squad to pick from and pick the team I want to pick and work on that, but that’s just part and parcel of football.

“You’ve just got to go with what you’ve got, but I’m very confident with the group I’ve got that we can go and get a result tomorrow.

“What will be will be and at the moment all I am is a caretaker.

“I’ve enjoyed the couple of weeks I’ve been doing it. The players have made it easy. Their application and their attitude has been different class.”

Thomson, meanwhile, has returned to the side after a lengthy spell out injured and his performance at Firhill last week in repelling Partick’s late surge showed how much he had been missed.

“We were quite heartened by our second half performance last week,” he added.

“We finished with Kevin Harper at right-back, Stephen Simmons playing alongside me in central defence. It was just me and Danny (Murphy) who were in what you might say are our natural positions.

“Personally, I’m just delighted to be back playing again. I’m still not back to where I was before I got injured but I’m getting there. That’s only my second 90 minutes.”

The last two games, both draws, have seen the Pars returning to something like their old selves and Thomson is hopeful they can continue against a side they beat at Palmerston earlier in the season.

“We’re gaining confidence,” he added. “You can see that in the last two games. We’ve created a lot more chances and it feels as though we’re getting a wee bit better.

“Queens will be hoping they can get a good start and quieten the crowd. It’s the same with any home team: if things aren’t going well, it goes all quiet.”

For the second week in a row McIntyre will find himself pitting his wits against a former boss, this time in the shape of the Doonhamers’ Gordon Chisholm.

“I have the utmost respect for Chis,” said McIntyre. “He’s different class. He was assistant manager then my boss at Dundee United.

“I’ve taken a lot of what he did on the training park and used it because it’s enjoyable and it works.

“I’m sure he’ll be looking to put one over on an old player, but we’re at home and we should be winning our home games and that’s exactly what we’ll be looking to do.”

It’s a case of four out and four in as far as Dunfermline’s squad for today’s game is concerned.

From last week’s pool, Stevie Crawford and Tam McManus are ill, Scott Wilson is suspended and Kevin Harper has suffered a recurrence of the calf injury that has kept him out for most of the last three months.

On the way back are Calum Woods, who will regain the right-back spot, Jamie Harris, Bobby Ryan and McIntyre himself.

Queens have been hit by a sickness virus with Paul Burns, Sean O’Connor, Eric Paton and Neil McFarlane among those suffering.

In addition, Bob Harris is suspended.

Dumfries boss Chisholm said yesterday, “We will have to wait until the morning before deciding our line-up.”

Also on the player front, John Collins’ exit from Hibs has left Chisholm disappointed.

“We were on the verge of bringing in two lads from Hibs but that has now been put on hold,” he said.