Paul ready to be Peter’s apostle

“I am just looking to get a chance and hopefully when you get them, do well, take it and hopefully stay in the team.

After ten years at Dunfermline Paul Allan is hoping that this is going to be his season and he will be adding significantly to his five Dunfermline appearances.

Following fruitless loans to Stenhousemuir and to Hill of Beath in September 2019, Paul went out on loan to Brechin City and started in 20 of his 21 appearances for the Glebe Park side in 2019- 2020 season.

In October 2020 Paul went out on a season-long loan to Albion Rovers but was recalled in January 2021 when League Two was suspended having made seven starts for the Coatbridge club. Paul described to the website how pre season had gone and what his ambitions were for the coming season:-

“I feel that I have started quite well, obviously I can improve but it’s just the start of the season and more about getting minutes into the legs. You want to do well in every game that you play so hopefully I kick on into the season.

“In the last couple of seasons I have been out on loan and I have not really had much game time here. That is something that I am looking to pick up on this season and try to break into the team this season.

“Pre season has been hard as we can expect. It has been good, a lot of hard work on the legs but we are getting good sessions in, doing things with the ball and working on shape at the same time. It has been a good start to the season.”

Paul trained with Dunfermline last season even while out on loan to Albion Rovers so he knows everyone on the training ground and understands how it all works. Along with Lewis Martin the pair are the longest to have been at Dunfermline:-

“It is good to be back and good to see Lewy Martin back amongst the group. The new manager has had a greater focus on the ball, keeping the ball, keeping it moving, move the opposition. It has been good so far implementing how he wants us to play and trying to carry it out in the friendlies.”

Despite the new gaffer the two first team coaches are nothing new to Paul:-

“Steven and Shieldsie were in last season as well so I know them well. They both are looking for us to keep the ball and play the ball similar to what the gaffer wants, so they work well together.”

Peter Grant’s initial comments when appointed manager of Dunfermline Athletic suggested that he was going to give everyone in the squad the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities. Paul smiled as he responded:-

“For me that is exactly what you want to hear. I am just looking to get a chance and hopefully when you get them, do well, take it and hopefully stay in the team. I’d like a runout in the team.

“I feel that I have started quite well, obviously I can improve but it’s just the start of the season and more about getting minutes into the legs. You want to do well in every game that you play so hopefully I kick on into the season.”

Paul played in the final Championship match of last season for Dunfermline which was against Alloa. It was a match in which many in the sparse body of spectators felt a Man of the Match award was worthy for the 21 year old. He continued:-

“Hopefully I impressed the manager who was in the other side’s dugout but I try and do my best in every game I play. In pre season he is going to try and give everyone game time so it is just trying to make that impression and do well in the team.”

Related Stories

• Civil Service Strollers 2 Dunfermline 2
• Spartans 2 Dunfermline 2
• Manager Post Civil Service Strollers
• Manager Post Spartans