Callum Smith goes out on loan to Airdrie

16/07/19: SC - “I think it is only fair to him that he goes out on loan, to get an opportunity to go out to Airdrie and play at that level.

Stevie Crawford discussed the thinking behind his decision to agree to 19 year old Callum Smith going out on a season long loan to League One side Airdrieonians.

”Callum got off to a great start in his Dunfermline career. He came in, he was lively with raw pace causing teams problems. I just think, to fair to Callum, for as much as we are working with young players, he is at that in between stage where is he going to get enough from reserve team football?

”At this moment in time he is down the pecking order, he maybe didn`t like to here me saying that but I think it is only fair to him that he goes out on loan, to get an opportunity to go out to Airdrie and play at that level.

”Hopefully he will do well for himself, score goals and do well for Airdrie. It is that next state of his development that I want to see. He would have been very restricted with his game time between now and January if I was being honest.”

Callum who has four international caps at under 19 level, has already had two previous loan deals to Alloa Athletic and Arbroath. SC agreed that the ideal scenario would be for him to go to Airdrie, score at lot of goals and potentially play a part in the title challenge.

”I spoke to Ian Murray and he showed an interest in Callum and it just felt right for the player and for the club at this moment in time. If he goes out and does well Airdrie will benefit from it, we will benefit from it and Callum will benefit from it. It is all positive on that front.

”Callum was keen to go out on loan and if that wasn`t the case we wouldn`t having been putting any pressure on him. I wouldn`t have liked it as a player myself. We spoke about it towards the end of last week and Callum then came in to see us and said that he was keen to go. Hopefully he will go on and do well.”

The manager confirmed that currently there are no plans for any other of the younger players to go out on loan.

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