Going local with experience added

“Any good, young player I see will get the opportunity. Then it’s up to them, as you keep working them.”

Pars gaffer John Hughes has previously outlined how important a player Graham Dorrans is to his Dunfermline team and he has underlined that by inviting him to become his club captain.

On returning for the last two games after a six week period out injured, the 34 year old midfielder has felt that he has been playing his best football since joining Dunfermline on 27th July this year. The manager admitted that he has been very impressed with his player both on and off the park:-

“You can tell the quality of footballer Graham is, not just on the ball but in terms of how he conducts himself. He is a fantastic example, not just for the young kids but for anyone.

“He played very well on Saturday, as did one or two others. One thing about Graham is that he is very humble and he appreciates the other guys playing their part and making it as easy as it can be.”

On his return Graham’s midfield partners have included two local grown talents who are products of the club’s youth system. Twenty year old Matthew Todd and his long time team mate twenty one year old Paul Allan have fitted in really well.

Matty Todd has started the last three league games, he scored against Morton and has done well in the two wins over Caley Thistle and Ayr United. The manager commented on the former Dunfermline High School pupil:-

“He’s got a lot of learning to do and we just hope the head is in the right place and, from constantly talking to him and communicating with him, it is.

He wants to learn. I’ve seen kids get into the team early and, before you know it, their head goes but his feet are firmly on the ground.

Toddy has done very well and I think he might be even better if you play him more to that right-hand side. He gives you everything.

Paul Allan has started nine of the Pars twenty matches this season and it was Paul who played in midfield alongside Matty in the Morton match and he took his place when coming on in the win over Ayr on Saturday. “The two of them are best of mates” said John Hughes “and it’s brilliant for the club.

“We’re not just doing that to show everyone: look at the two local lads. They deserve their place. When you speak to them, they look you right in the eye and take everything on board.

“That is why you get out of your bed in the morning - when you see that enthusiasm and desire from these guys to be the best they can be. That rubs off on me, when they walk in the door I get a lift.”

Both youngsters have come all the way through the youth system at Dunfermline and have also benefitted from on-loan periods, in Matty’s case at Brechin City, Paul’s Brechin and Albion Rovers and the manager confirmed his interest in giving youth a chance:-

“I’ve always given young players their opportunity. Any good, young player I see will get the opportunity. Then it’s up to them, as you keep working them.”

Hughes is delighted to take a great pride in the small part he can play in their development and that interest stretches back some way:-

“I was told that Stevie Crawford and Granty were the first two on the phone to them, texting them to say ‘well done, keep it going’. They have played a massive part, as have Greg Shields and Stevie Whittaker. We just need to keep polishing them up and constantly demanding of them.”

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