Cup finalists head from Hampden to Hamilton

"Last season people told me that I came back flying, so I will be training even in the close season so that I come back fit."

At the age of just 19 Iain Williamson became Dunfermline's youngest ever player to appear in a Scottish Cup final. The youngster has made a rapid rise through the youth set up at Dunfermline and has a new contract that will see him at East End Park for the next two seasons; hopefully one in the SFL and one in the SPL.  His aim:-  "I want to get into the team and help them win promotion."

Pre season starts for Iain and his team mates on Thursday 28th June and he intends to be ready for it:-
"Last season people told me that I came back flying, so I will be training even in the close season so that I come back fit." 

Iain's appearance as a second half substitute in the Cup final was just his fifth for the first team, he said: "It was great to play in the cup final; as they said to me, a lot of great players never ever get to one so to do that at the age of nineteen was great.

"You have always got to be positive and hope to play.  On the Saturday morning the Manager took me on a walk and told me that I was going to be involved.I want to say that you to him for giving me a chance."

Stephen Kenny had chosen his starting eleven but the substitutes did not find out until the Saturday morning.  Following breakfast at the Crown Plaza on the north bank of the River Clyde, Iain discovered that he could become Dunfermline's youngest ever cup finalist.

"We prepare every game the same way, it was a cup final but training was the same and even though it was in the back of your mind you go out relaxed.

Pre match lunch also at the Crown Plaza was chicken and pasta and then it was off to Hampden:-

"It is a beautiful pitch; I had never seen a pitch like that before - the surface was just brilliant, cut short and just perfect.

"When you are on the pitch you are just concentrating on your warm up, thinking about the game and what you are going to do." 

As a substitute he did not feature in the line up on the park but was left to concentrate on what he was going to do if and when he got on.

"I was more nervous earlier in the day but when it happens you are just focussed and any nerves just go away. You concentrate on what you have to do and try and get a goal."

So just what was the instruction to the substitute?

"The Manager said I was to go on in right midfield and push Crawford upfront.  That was it really, Robbo just said 'go and make a name for yourself'. It was just disappointing in the end because it was a great chance .

"Craig Robertson has helped me a lot, all the time.  It was his idea to play me upfront.  He gave me a shot there in the reserves earlier in the year.  I really enjoyed that and did well up there.  Craig, Hamish (French), the Manager, all the coaching staff they have all been very very good."

Iain impressed in the Under 19s when he was switched from midfield to striker. Does he know his best position?

"I don't know.  I have been on the pitch as a striker and as a midfielder, I can play both positions.  I will just do my best and prove that I worth a place in the team."