Dargo looking forward to U20 challenge

"They are a cracking bunch, they listen and want to do the right things as well ..

SPL U20 League:  Dunfermline U20s v Falkirk U20s
Wednesday 15th August 2012
Stirling University, kick off 6.30pm

Craig Dargo has been impressed with the U20 squad since he arrived at East End Park from Dumbarton. He will share coaching responsibilities for that squad with John Potter and is keen to take the opportunity to learn from Jim Jefferies, Gerry McCabe and Neil McCann.

"Like a sponge I will soak things up from them and their experience but likewise I will be trying to give the U20s the benefit of my experience in the game.

"They are a cracking bunch, they listen and want to do the right things as well. It is encouraging and I have been very impressed with their enthusiasm, desire and will to listen and learn. They take on what you say which is a good thing as well. Playing alongside them and being involved with them helps too. You get player to player respect.

"They are all talented individuals, they wouldn't be here otherwise. It is just about learning wee things to do with the game but I think the standard was set in their first league game against Kilmarnock on Tuesday night. They won 3-1 and now have to follow up on that."

The opening league game served as a useful marker since the last game of the U19 SPL league in season 2011-12 was also against Kilmarnock when the Pars lost 3-0 at Kilwinning.

"You know with a team like Kilmarnock that they are going to have loads of possession, they are good with the ball but we pressed them in the right areas, nicking the ball a few times. We didn't have as much of the ball as they had but we were disciplined and at the age of 17 or 18 that is good to see.

"I thought they worked extremely hard and never gave up even when Killie scored. When we scored the third there might even have been even more after that."

Craig played 82 minutes of that U20 game and scored the opening goal. He still wants to play as long as he can but has long recognised that he'd like to try his hand in coaching.

"I have been working on my coaching badges for the last five years at Youth level, 'B' Licence and then my 'A' Licence in the summertime there to be assessed in the next summer. I'd rather I did a bit of coaching and then feel that I am ready to step on. Doing one year after year is not for me; I need to learn a bit and then come back to it when I feel ready.

"Coaching opens your eyes up to the other side of the game rather than just being a player. I'd advise younger boys to go and do it because you do see things from a different perspective. When I was that age I couldn't care less, I just wanted to play."

The next U20 SPL game is against Falkirk on Wednesday 15th August with a 6.30pm kick off at Stirling University.