SCOTT MORRISON has revealed there was plenty of good-natured ribbing of Jim McIntyre while he was in temporary charge of Dunfermline, writes Graeme Dey.

Now McIntyre has been confirmed as the Pars’ new manager, though, he admits the dressing room dynamics will have to change.

But the former Aberdeen full-back made it clear that the East End Park gaffer has the backing of the players.

“When Macca took over as caretaker we weren’t sure if he was going to get the job or not. He might have come back to the playing staff,” said Morrison.

“And there was a bit of banter from the boys which he took well. But now he’ll go and stamp his authority on the club and we’ll see what changes he makes.

“Whatever happens, this was an appointment we supported. We were under pressure because we were under-performing and the boys wanted someone in who would get the club back on the right path.

“Jim did that as caretaker manager so we were delighted to see him take the job on permanently.”

Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Dens Park leaves Dunfermline unbeaten in seven games with McIntyre at the helm and the spirited and resilient nature of the performance against Dundee was cited by Morrison as further evidence that the club are on the way back.

He admits, however, given they trail the Dark Blues by 14 points and leaders Hamilton by 17, they still have a long way to go.

“It’s been easy to make progress after an abysmal first half of the season,’’ he said.

“But we need to start turning hard-working performances into good ones that see us making more of the play, creating more clear-cut chances and scoring a few more goals.

“Confidence is a massive thing in football and we have become more confident.

“The boys are also training a bit better now and feeling sharper for that, and we’re taking that into games and getting results. But there’s still a massive amount to be done.

“The Dundee game was a big one for us with it being Macca’s first in full charge.

“The boys wanted to keep up the unbeaten record under him and a draw from Dens isn’t a bad result.’’

McIntyre’s former Dundee United team-mate Craig Samson reckons the Pars are certain to maintain their improvement, though he intends to make sure that however strong a finish to the season they have, it isn’t enough to mount a promotion challenge.

“Having been at United with Macca, I am absolutely delighted for him that he got the job,” said Samson.

“You always knew he was going to be a manager. It was clear that he had the attributes to go on and become a manager or coach and I’m sure he’ll do a good job for Dunfermline.

“Dunfermline now look like a team who believe they can keep on getting results and maybe even catch ourselves. But it’s up to us to keep on winning and ensure that doesn’t happen.’’

Pars winger Bobby Ryan could be on his way back to Ireland. A £20,000 buy from Shelbourne a year ago, Ryan is in signing talks with St Pats.

As he contemplates leaving, former Aberdeen, Rangers and Scotland defender Stephen Wright is being lined up to join McIntyre’s backroom staff at East End Park, along with Donald Park.

Meanwhile, talks between Dunfermline and coach Craig Robertson aimed at settling his departure from the club are planned for today.

Robertson, who is on a year’s rolling contract, has been on gardening leave since Christmas Day and with McIntyre wanting to bring in his own support team a severance deal now has to be thrashed out.