Ross County manager Jim McIntyre is relishing the prospect of returning to East End Park after yesterday’s Scottish Cup fourth-round draw paired the Staggies with his former club Dunfermline.
McIntyre was given his first job in management by the Pars in 2007 and guided the Fife outfit to the First Division title four years later.
After a tricky start to the subsequent top-flight campaign, McIntyre was dismissed in March 2012.
Nevertheless, he looks back on his time at the club with fondness and is relishing a return – albeit in the away dugout.
McIntyre said: “It will be the first time I have taken a team back there, so it will be nice. It’s where I got my start in management and I’ve a lot of good memories from that time. I’m certainly more experienced now. I left early in 2012 so we’re talking a few years ago.
“I learned so much in that time. There was a lot of politics at the time with the club as well but I’d not say a bad word about it.
“It was a fantastic learning curve for me. I started as player-manager and found that far too difficult, quickly realising I had to hang up the boots. It was just about time anyway with the amount of injuries I was starting to pick up.”
Despite enjoying success as manager at Dunfermline, one of McIntyre’s most memorable moments with the Pars came during his playing days with the club.
Towards the end of a Scottish Cup semi-final against Hibernian in 2007, the attacker showed remarkable composure to chip a penalty past goalkeeper Andrew McNeil to secure a final berth against Celtic, who eventually lifted the trophy.
McIntyre added: “There were a couple of special moments playing-wise, but the semi-final win was certainly memorable. It was great for the club to reach a final. Most of my playing time there was hampered by injury, so, if anything, that made it all better to have that special semi-final moment.
“I knew Hibs had a young goalkeeper in Andrew McNeil and I felt confident he’d pick a side. I’d done it a few times before and wasn’t trying to be flashy, just make sure I got us to the final.”
Celtic were drawn away to Stranraer, while Rangers will host Cowdenbeath or Arbroath.