McManus can Dec more defences
Saturday, 6th Jan 2018"Get the three points, climb up the table and keep the form going, that`s all that matters."
Declan McManus scored the second goal against Falkirk on Tuesday and that cued a celebration for his 50th career goal. Described at Aberdeen as a `Hit Kid` the 23 year old has been scoring freely since arriving at Dunfermline in the summer.
After 20 starts and four appearances off the bench the Glaswegian has amassed a tally of 11 goals for the Pars scoring five in the last seven matches. He described how important that was to him:-
"As a striker it is always good to keep the scoring going, then eventually like in the last two games, we will get the wins. It feels a bit better when you score that you win the game but it is always good to score goals."
The importance of winning the derby match was obvious, he continued:-
"The win against Brechin perked us up a bit, we were just trying to keep that winning feeling going and thankfully we played well and managed to do that.
"It was important to get the win over Falkirk both for Dean (Shiels) and the club with it being a derby. He has been through a lot in the last few weeks and there are not many people who would have dealt with it on the way he did. We wanted to do it for Dino but we wanted the win first and foremost."
Declan is hoping that the Pars can match the effort and commitment levels that they showed against Falkirk when they take on Dumbarton at the YOUR Radio 103FM Stadium:-
"Hopefully I can get my first goal against them for this season and that leads to a win. If I don`t score and we win I will just be as happy. As long as we get the three points, climb up the table and keep the form going, that`s all that matters."
At this stage last season Declan had only scored four goals in 21 games for Raith Rovers and he went on to score nine times in 41 games for the Rovers so he was happy to note that he had already beaten his goals tally for last year.
"I think when I enjoy my football I am at my best and I am certainly enjoying my football now. I feel I am getting back to where I know I can be. A big part of it is confidence. Playing with good players that work well with me - nine times out of ten they know where I will be for the crosses.
"It works well and hopefully I am doing my part for my team mates and the club as well."
Declan has formed a good partnership up front with Nicky Clark and is mindful that there are players like Andy Ryan and Callum Smith eagerly waiting to take their chance. He said:-
"It is healthy for strikers to have good players who are maybe not playing ahead of you. You know if you slack off in games or in training you will be right out and you might not get back in.
"Everybody is needed, there will be times when me or Nicky have wee injuries or even suspensions or the gaffer wants to change it, so the boys will be needed. It is good to know that there are good players who can come in in my position and it is not going to hamper the team."
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