Manager on his re-signings

31/05/19: Stevie Crawford talks about the new contracts for Andy Ryan, Ryan Scully, Cammy Gill, Stuart Morrison and Lewis Martin

“We are delighted that Andy Ryan has committed to the club again. Last season was frustrating for him in terms of injuries but he is a natural finisher and I think he still has a lot to prove.

“He is at an age now where he really has to kick on. He has to show that he can go and score goals at Championship level. That is not me throwing all the pressure on to Andy, that wouldn’t be fair of us as a coaching staff to do that but we have also to give Andy Ryan or whoever is playing up front as striker, because there will also be competition for places, the opportunities to score goals.

“That is something that I touched upon towards the end of last season so I am delighted to get Andy on board. It shows that he is committed. We had a couple of conversations with Andy on different days to find out if he was fully committed to giving his lot for Dunfermline next season.

“He has come back saying that he is up for it and he understands the important state he is in his careers. I just hope the competition will make us more threatening in attacking areas next year.”

Stuart Morrison has been in the Pars Youth System for ten seasons from the age of eight. Stevie commented on signing the 20 year old:-

“Did I see him having a future as an out and out centre back at Dunfermline at this stage of his career at Championship level? No I didn’t, I am not saying that we won’t play him there but towards the end of the season Greg (Shields) gave him an opportunity to play on centre mid position.

“We saw him play there up at Inverness. I’m not saying that we just signed him on one game or offered him a new contract but we genuinely see that could be a position that Stuart Morrison can go on and have a future in.

“Because of the type of character and lad that he is and the fact that there could be progression in him has warmed to us offering him a deal. I am delighted that Stuart is committed because he has maybe been frustrated by the lack of first team opportunities that he has been given he has been given but we can see a pathway for him here and there is a lot of learning to do within that role but one that we can hopefully develop.

“It will be a big year for him to try and break into the team. One, the type of character that he is, he will put pressure on people buy two, he showed up at Inverness that when he was involved in the mistake for the goal, it didn’t let it affect his performance levels. He could be a good one for us because we know him inside out.”

Keepers Ryan Scully and Cammy Gill are signed for next season and Stevie feels it brings useful competition.

“A big attraction for Ryan was coming back to Dunfermline but also he wanted to push Cammy Gill. He has a genuine interest in trying to bring on Cammy and I think that is important.

“Likewise Cammy will thrive on that competition and he will be wanting to take Ryan’s number one place. For as much as they are rivals they have a good relationship on the training ground. We can only benefit from that.”

Lewis Martin had a torrid season through injury last season but can now focus on a more positive season ahead:-

“Lewis can play anywhere across the back four but he has to come back and try and cement a position that will kick start his career. He needs to be getting into the team on a regular basis.

“The coaching staff have a belief that he has something to give us and his adaptability is brilliant for us to have. We need to put it more back on to Lewis, show us whether it is left back, right back, centre back. At a push he can play as a central midfielder, I don’t see that as his position but again if he was asked to go in there on the odd occasion, I think he has the football intelligence that he could do that role for us. I am delighted for him because it was a tough year.”

Related Stories

• Andy Ryan pens new deal with DAFC
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