Double Dunfermline boost

Signings are a strong demonstration of the club's desire to get second place tied up as soon as possible.

A real boost going into the business end of the season was how Jim Jefferies described the signing of two more players on the final day of the January transfer window. Danny Grainger joined from St Mirren and Ross Forbes from Partick Thistle. He felt that this was a strong demonstration of the club's desire to get second place tied up as soon as possible.

Speaking exclusively to the website, Danny Grainger explained how his move to Dunfermline came about

"I'd fallen out of favour at St Mirren having had a bit of a disagreement with the manager and his assistant a wee while back and it didn't seem to go right after that. I was out last year with my knee injury and I just want to play football. Jim signed me at Hearts and I know him well and couldn't wait once I had spoken to him to get along here and get it done really."

It did not bother him coming to a team that is two divisions lower than what he has been used to?

"No not at all. I know how Jim works with his players and know what he expects from them.I know the standard will be quite high and I am just lucky that I want to get back and play football and that is the main objective. Dunfermline is a big club and if you take Rangers out of this league it shows they are the biggest club in the league."

Danny Grainger

Danny described his footballing style:-

"I am just a hard working footballer really.Obviously, the type of footballer that Jim likes and I like to get forward from the full back area as much as I can and I'm a strong tackler and defender.Left back is predominately my position, but I can play left centre half and left midfield. Anywhere I need to play really, I'm quite versatile, though my preference is left back."

The new signing was at St Johnstone at the same time as Josh Falkingham and had discussed the move with his former team mate only the night before the move:-

"I'm quite friendly with Josh and spoke to him last night and once I had spoken to him it made my decision even easier.I know Neil McCann and Potts as well and have played against most of the other boys."

Danny's contract is until the end of this season and Jim Jefferies commented:-

"You are asking a lot of young kids with the pressures that have been on them week in week out. So getting a couple of experienced boys in gives them that wee reminder that you have got to play at your best because there is competition for places.

"When we came up against Ross Forbes last season I thought he was excellent in the middle of the park. He hit a couple of raspers past us as well. He is 24 years of age so we have not just taken him until the end of the season but for another year on top of that."

Ross Forbes at Pitreavie

Ross Forbes knows what competition for places means and is intent on earning himself a regular start. He revealed how Partick had alerted him to the possible move to Fife:-

"The gaffer said to me yesterday after training that Dunfermline were interested but that it was totally up to me and my decision, so once I thought it through and had a wee think about it - it was an easy decision to come.

"I've only started a few games in the Cup and played mostly as a substitute so it wasn't a lot of game time which isn't what I wanted to be doing so when the chance came here, I grabbed it."

Asked if he felt the damage he did to us while playing for Partick Thistle might go against him?

"Hopefully not. I scored two goals last season against them, but hopefully I can score a few here for Dunfermline.

Ross prefers playing in central midfield, he added:-

"I like getting on the ball and obviously scoring a few goals. I think that's all I have in the locker! Last season I came in and trained here before I went to Thistle, so a lot of the boys are still here from then."

The Par in the Jags camp - Paul Gallacher - had not been approached for advice before making a decision? Ross continued:-

"It happened so quick yesterday that I didn't even get a chance to speak to most of the boys. I'm sure Gall would have given it a glowing report anyway.

"I'm looking forward to getting back playing again and being somewhere where somebody wants you, that's a big thing as well."

Jim Jefferies stressed that it should be noticeable that the three that have been brought in - Page, Grainger and Forbes - are all at good ages and have good experience of playing in the Premier League and the Championship.

"Hopefully that experience will shine even more in the division that we are in.

"I am putting out a clear message that the experience that was lacking in the early part of the season will be helped by these boys knowing what to expect and how to handle situations.

"Again you have to say that the Pars United board has been great in letting us do this. That was always the plan to try and support us and the fans and in particular the Centenary Lifeline has played their part.

"They know that their money has gone into the football side of things and we couldn't have done this without their help. These boys are not coming here for the money, they are coming because I have known Danny and had him at Hearts - he has come here because he wants to play.

"Ross just wants to play as well. They are both talented players. Both experts at set plays so there should be a good fight for them because both like to show their ability at taking free kicks and corners. We need to cash in on that."