Contract brings Craw Christmas Cheer

SC - “Ryan has got a good number of years ahead of him where he can enjoy his football and hopefully take this club to the place we wants to get to.”

Dunfermline manager Stevie Crawford said that to have somebody of Ryan’s experience extend his contract for another year is great for the club and a great boost for both supporters and players. He claimed that his vice captain is a respected character in the dressing room and his versatility is a great attribute:-

“He can play in a number of positions and he can play them extremely well. He can play up as a striker, just off the striker, he has played in wide areas and we have seen in the St Johnstone game and against Raith Rovers being used in a central midfield role.

“Ryan is not really a player who will go in and smash somebody in a 50-50 but he will never hide from the ball. I think that is the type of player that we want here at East End. If you are brave and convinced when you take the ball, it is not a fluke that when you come back from goals behind in games that having people like Ryan around about the place allows you the chance to come back and take something from games.”

Ryan had revealed that his decision to sign the contract extension took him no time whatsoever. The gaffer laughed when he was told:-

“If Dowser is happy that’s a first for me! Joking aside, Ryan is a great guy. When I came into the job initially he was on loan at Peterhead and he was coming in twice a week. The way that he trained those two days a week with us has never changed. He has an appetite, he wants to get on the ball and for me he is an old fashioned type player - if you give him the ball, Ryan is happy.

“He has got experience, he is 29 years of age and has played at the top level. He is very keen to get back there as well, he is still ambitious and for me, 29 these days is still young for a football player. Ryan has got a good number of years ahead of him where he can enjoy his football and hopefully take this club to the place we wants to get to.”

Stevie had no news of any further contact extensions:-

“It is great getting Ryan’s deal over the line but regards any other contracts talks, I don’t think that it is right for us to be talking about any individual player. That is something that will remain private and if we have anything to tell then we will make you aware of that.”

As the January transfer window approaches Stevie said nothing had really changed away from the norm and opportunities are always being assessed:-

“We work tirelessly behind the scenes and if we feel that there is an opportunity or the right person or personnel to come to the club, then we have always got to try and be on the front foot.

“January notoriously is a very hard window but it shows ambition. If I sit here and say that we are not looking to try and add it can kill the spirit about the place.”

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