MP elects for Dunfermline

After considering options elsewhere 28 year old midfielder wanted to return to Dunfermline

Michael Paton was delighted to secure a contract for another season at East End Park. He admitted that it had taken a wee while to get there:-

"It is done now and I am really looking forward to the season starting and to get back playing. When you get to the end of your contract you weigh things up, so does the club - it`s just the way football is. The manager and myself were speaking over the summer about our best options.

"I know where the club wants to go and I want to be a part of that. So I came in and have been training, keeping my fitness up and came to an agreement that it was best for me to stay here. I am ready to kick on after last season was stop start because of my hernia.

"I was playing catch up from day one last season and the team picked up when I was starting to get fit and it was hard to get back in. I am fit now and there is no excuses this season, I am going to hit the ground running."

Lack of game time last season was not enjoyable, all players want to play as many games as they can. The 28 year old described his experience last season as "unfortunate".

"It was very frustrating and the team was picking up points all the time even though it was more draws than wins. At the time I could understand the manager for not changing it."

Having worked with Allan Johnston at Queen of the South and two seasons at Dunfermline, Michael stressed that he knew what he is capable of and having proved his fitness he is optimistic for the upcoming season. He had options to go elsewhere but deep down he wanted to stay at Dunfermline and help them back to the top flight.

"We had a great finish to the season and hopefully that momentum carries on and we start the way we finished. He has kept the majority of the squad and we have games thick and fast until the season starts.

"We will be ready. It has been a hard pre season so everybody is really fit and everybody will be fighting for a position."

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