Right on Bell

Debut for midfielder signed in close season.

Steven Bell joined Dunfermline from Stirling Albion but he did not make his first team debut until Saturday. He made 30 appearances last season for the Binos but required surgery after joining the Pars. Naturally he was delighted to come on against Airdrie United:-

"It has been a long eight weeks so I just glad to get back playing again." The midfielder's last game was on 26th April so the four month lay off was not exactly the length of close season he had anticipated.

Steven described Airdrie as "stuffy" and felt that the youthfulness of their team meant they never gave up in midfield.

"You know what you are going to get with teams like that. There are a lot of teams with really good energy. We have energy as well but we are disappointed with the result against Airdrie."

The decision of referee Craig Charleston to send Nick Phinn off after just 54 minutes made it hard for Dunfermline. Steven gave his views on the incidents:-

"He said he got caught, Nick is not the type to dive, so I believe him. The first booking was a shocker. I was standing at the bench and I could see he took the ball. He might have got the man but he has taken the ball before. The man might have ran into him. For a double yellow it was a shocker.

"I wasn't expecting to come on into a ten man team. To be honest I was in the squad but I didn't expect to get on the bench because a lot of young boys have done really well recently. I was surprised when the gaffer put me on the bench and even more surprised to get on.

"I am glad to get on because every 10, 20 minutes, half an hour I get is going to make me that bit fitter."

Steven admitted to being raging at new signing Simon Wiles for taking a chance off his boot:-

"To be fair he was unlucky with his shot. I think he should have taken it in but he is the same as me - struggling for a bit of fitness. Maybe if he was a bit fitter he would have taken it in."

Following his cartilage operation the 23 year old returned to running but after one training session had to return to the doctor because of the pain. Steven was able to train again on Tuesday but admitted it was tough playing against the likes of Nick Phinn who of course after a full pre season and five competitive games was on a higher level.

"I am still sore after this match. It is bound to because a large chunk of my cartilage got taken away. I think a lot of it was in my head as well. I discussed it with the doctor and he said it was going to be sore. Obviously you body has changed, you can't depend on your cartilage any more - it is going to be bone on bone. Hopefully it doesn't affect me in the long term.

"I have missed a whole pre season and as soon as you miss that you are well behind straight away. It will take me a couple of months to be where I want to be. The boys were disappointed on Saturday but last week they were brilliant so I just need to come in and take my chance when I get a chance."