All promoted sides need to up their game and the Pars know they have a lot to learn when they get their league programme back on track
Cardle said: "The Celtic game was something I was looking forward to when I saw the fixtures list early doors, but they've got their game against Inter Milan and at least it gave us a chance to get through in the cup. We've got to look on to next week when we play Inverness at home and get back into the swing of things. I would have preferred to have had a run of games in the SPL to get ourselves established, but it is just the way it has happened. Celtic are a big club and they'd probably already arranged their schedule of friendlies before the fixtures came out, so it's just the way things have gone. We'll just get on with it and look forward to playing them."
The SPL newboys had to work hard for their win over Annan, who put in a gritty performance and matched their visitors in almost every area of the park. The Pars took the lead in the 17th minute when Andy Barrowman rose above the defence to get his head to a Cardle corner. Annan then equalised through David Cox, while Ian Harty almost put them in front with an overhead scissors kick from close range.But it was the visitors who looked hungrier for a win and they regained the lead with Andy Kirk's second-half header. Despite the defeat, Annan manager Harry Cairney was full of praise for his battling third division side. He said: "We can only do our best and I think all the guys did their best. We were unlucky with Ian Harty's overhead kick but they had a player on the line and that's why you put someone there. Once they went ahead they looked more comfortable and we didn't create too much at that point. Maybe fitness was a factor but they are in the SPL and we are in the third division."
