DUNFERMLINE'S match against Hibernian on Saturday was a homecoming of sorts for ex-Par Sol Bamba.

The big Ivory Coast internationalist, who moved to the Easter Road outfit in 2008, revealed that he still "loves" the Pars - and that playing against his former team was "difficult".

Bamba, who still calls Dunfermline home, said, "It was very difficult, to be fair. I had a lot of good memories here. It was difficult to go out but I had to do that, and I'm just happy to be back.

"I have a lot of memories of the fans, the cup final as well and some bad things as well, but I'll always remember the good things.

"My favourite memory is the cup final (in 2007). It was a shame we lost the game at the last minute but it was a very, very good moment - the biggest game so far for me. I still live here - I love the city and all the fans have always been good to me. It feels strange to be here to play against them but it was good. I've got a job to do but it was a very strange feeling." He said he still kept up with Dunfermline's fortunes and made the occasional visit to East End Park.

He said, "I came back to see the team on Tuesday against Dundee United.

"I think they've got some young, good players and hopefully they can do something next season because that's the club I've got in my heart. I hope they're doing well.

"I always watch the results on the internet, I try to come and watch the game when I can. It was a big club for me and I'm always going to do that." He laughed when reminded about how happy he was when Dunfermline beat Hibs at Hampden in the Scottish Cup semi-finals in 2007.

He chuckled, "The Hibs fans came to speak to me about it - but they were just joking about that. I've just got some good, good memories of Dunfermline." The move to Hibs appears to have done him good in terms of his international career - he's picked up four caps since leaving.

But Bamba underlined that he would always be grateful to Dunfermline.

He said, "I'll remember this club and everything they've all done for me - Jim Leishman and all the other guys. I love this club."