Managers Update

16/05/19: SC talks about the big turn around with players moving on.

"I spoke to the players on the Monday after the Inverness game and then we thought it was important to speak to them individually and review the season. It was a busy couple of days , some not so pleasant - it is never nice telling somebody that they are not getting a contract because it is their livelihoods.

"I am making decisions that are best for Dunfermline Football Club. I wish them all the best, anybody who played a part last season."

Lewis Martin, Ryan Scully, Cammy Gill, Paul Allan and Thomas Bragg were the first to be signed and Stevie explained:-

"Ryan Scully came in and I thought he was excellent. He brought competition for places and grabbed it with both hands. Cammy Gill is a very good prospect and it is important that there is competition there for places to try and get as many shut outs as we can next season. There is a lot of potential in Cammy and I think that Ryan who rightly wants to be number one goalie, is the right type to help develop Cammy.

"I am delighted that Paul Allan has come on board. It could be a big year for Paul. He is a very good footballer, clean with his passing and that sometimes goes unnoticed. Paul has to kick on physically and push himself. Again there is a lot of potential in Paul.

"There was a year of his development that he probably lost but we felt that Paul was worthy of an opportunity and the pleasing thing for us was that he wanted to stay at the club.

"We have told him to go away and enjoy his summer but what he actually does over the summer will also give us an indication of how serious he is about his football.

"I spoke to Lewis Martin yesterday after signing his new deal and I don`t want to hear about last season anymore. Lewis has a lot to offer. He is at an age where he needs to play regular football and another one who if he comes back for pre season fully fit I`m sure that he will be a good addition for us next year.

"Over the last week or so you can see that we are going to trim the squad. Lewis can play a number of positions, I think he can sometimes go and sit in the middle of the park. I`m not saying that is his preferred position but he showed up at Inverness having to play ninety minutes in a situation due to (shortage of) personnel.

"He might be asked to play in a few positions over the season but I think it is important for Lewis to show, not just to the Dunfermline supporters and the club but to himself that he can be a main stay in the team next year."

The other early signing was Thomas Bragg, Stevie said that he was a stand out after Bill Hendry brought him to Fife Elite:-

"He was originally in Southampton`s Academy. After leaving them he found himself at Hibs, that didn`t work out so Bill brought him in and there he caught Greg Shields eye. He did well in the reserve games towards the end of the season and enough that we felt worthy of bringing him on board."

The manager would not talk about individuals still considering contracts but did comment on his two new faces - Ryan Dow and Aaron Comrie:-

"Ryan is an attacking player. The attraction in Ryan is that he broke into a Dundee United team at a young age and he has experience of playing at the highest level in Scotland. He moved on to Ross County but having started the season, then found himself out of the team. Instead of sitting about, he decided to go to Peterhead.

"When it was brought to our attention that he was doing well we had him watched and after January I spoke to Jim McInally and it was great he put a case forward to see if Ryan could come in and train with us a couple of days per week. We have been able to monitor where Ryan is at.

"He came down and his attitude was good, he is hungry to play football at the highest level possible and when the opportunity came We think that he can play in several positions, he is a clever football player and I know we need to be a little bit more creative in the final third. Married in with Ryan having been through experiences coming in as a young player himself. Sometimes it is a tough environment at Tannadice for young players so I`m sure he will be there for the younger players to look up to.

"Aaron Comrie is a right back, he can play at left back. He is one who obviously Callum Davidson knew from St Johnstone. He was probably restricted in game time but he is really keen to come and be given the opportunity to play first team football.

"Not that we are guaranteeing that, he going to have to come and bring that energy and enthusiasm. There will be times when he makes mistakes but Callum knows him as a character. We met him and felt that he was a type that we felt could bring something to Dunfermline and kick start his career."

Stevie and Greg watched Livingston v Dundee at the weekend and are still taking in almost every play off match.

"It is so important to go out there because one might just be offered to you who is right for this football club. There is nothing better than being able to see things with your own eye or people who have the club`s best interest at heart. Whether anything comes of going to these games, it might not be in the immediate future but in six months or a year`s time. We will do everything to keep our eye out for potential to come and play for Dunfermline."

Did Stevie expect to have Callum Davidson in his coaching staff next season?

"Callum came in at a difficult time for us. He has a lot of experience and he has enjoyed working with us. It has got to be right for Callum as well, he will know himself. I want him to have time with his family to think about it and then respectful of his knowledge and experience of the game, give him the time to think things over.

"When he tells me I will be able to make an announcement, other than that there is not really any more I can say about it."

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