Signing for Pars was a no brainer

Declan McManus delighted now to be play for rather than against Dunfermline

Former Morton striker Declan McManus joined the Pars on Thursday on a one-year deal after leaving relegated Raith Rovers. He told this website that he was delighted to sign for Dunfermline Athletic and he revealed that the move all came together fairly fast:-

"I spoke to the manager and when he showed his enthusiasm to get me in it was a no brainer. We both wanted to get it done as soon as possible, I am delighted that it is sorted and I can look forward to pre season."

Declan started his career with Aberdeen - making his debut for the Dons in a 3-0 defeat at East End Park in 2012 - before enjoying loan spells with Alloa Athletic and Greenock Morton. Graham Alexander signed him for Fleetwood Town in May 2015 but Declan was quickly back at Morton for a third period on loan there before being loaned out to Raith for season 2016-2017. Now he is hoping that next season will be a contrast to last.

"It is going to be a big season for me especially after last season ending up so poor. There were a lot of aspects that contributed to that so I am delighted to be given a year here, that`s plenty time for me to get back to where I know I can be and help the club to get back to where it should be."

The 22 year old striker is pretty well known to Pars fans having scored in each of the three matches he played for Morton against Dunfermline in 2014-2015. He now has to do that for rather than against.

"I`d like to score a lot more goals this season. Dunfermline is a massive club and playing against them last year I know that there are very good players here. Barring the start to the season that the club had last year they wouldn`t have been mid table but probably a lot higher.

"Hopefully we can make sure we get a good start this time and we will definitely be up there challenging. We want to be as high as possible in the league, that is where a club this size should be. The ultimate goal is to get back into the Premier League."

He stressed that a striker needs good players and good service behind you commenting "that can actually make you look even better than you actually are. I am hoping that happens!

"I have known Nicky (Clark) for a number of years having been at Aberdeen and hopefully I will be playing upfront with him. I know that he is a good player and there are several good players behind me. In every position there are good players and you couldn`t single out anybody that wouldn`t make the team.

"It is going to be a tough fight for places because there are some really good players but hopefully I can get myself in there and score the goals that would make as successful a campaign as possible."

Last season Declan was used in several roles and will play anywhere that`s needed but he claimed his preference is the principal striking role. He once played in centre midfield for Morton against Rangers at Ibrox but Allan Johnston has already said that the main striking role is where he sees him and has already allocated him the number nine squad number.

"That also appealed to me to get back there and I know that I am most value to a football team through the middle trying to get goals. I like to use the pace that I have got and I am looking forward to hopefully getting back to playing the position that I know best.

"My game has always been about scoring goals, last year I only managed nine and for me that was a bad season. I want to score as many goals as possible and win as many games as possible."

Declan acknowledged that joining Dunfermline looked like his best move in his quest to optimise his career in football. He is really looking forward to playing for rather than against the Pars and admitted that he has always like playing against them because they played good football and at East End because of the good atmosphere. "I am looking forward to being a part of that this time."

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