Morris ready to motor

"I want to prove that I am good enough to push on in the SPL or back in England. I think this is a perfect place to develop;

Callum Morris has signed a year long contract at Dunfermline with the option depending upon appearances to extend that further. The club's new central defender started off his football career at Newcastle United working his way up from Under 13s to reserve team. He played under Kevin Keegan, Sam Allardyce and Chris Hughton among others. He found the revolving managerial door gave him great experience, continually having to prove himself to the new coaching staff.

Glenn Roeder made a big impression on Callum since he was in charge of the Newcastle Academy when the sixteen year old went full time. He left St James Park at the age of 20 and spent some time at the Glenn Hoddle Academy in Jerez before trialling in Scotland, England, Portugal and Greece. Callum is delighted that Jim Jefferies has given him the opportunity to play some games and he believes that he will thrive at Dunfermline:-

"It is great club and I am looking forward to the challenge ahead. There are some experienced lads but there are a lot of young ones which I think is a bonus really if you are looking into the future. If we are looking to try and get back into the SPL it can only be a good thing if you have young lads who have played quite a few games.

"I know Alex Whittle from being over in Spain and I phoned him and had a quick conversation to see what he thought of it. He has really settled in here; he loves it and everything he said was positive. It helps a lot when you know a few people; even little Josh Falkingham I have played against him a few times when he was a young lad at Leeds."

Although born in Birkenhead, Callum represented the Republic of Ireland at U19 and U21 level but any future representative honours will be for Northern Ireland. He explained:-

"My mother is from Liverpool and all her family are from Waterford, my father and his family are from Belfast in Northern Ireland so I got to choose which to play for. I went for the Republic but it turned out when I left Newcastle I was left out of the Republic squad and when Northern Ireland showed an interest I was happy to opt to play for them. That was probably eight or nine months ago but the international clearance only came through a month ago. If I play well you never know. It would be a bonus to play at international level again."

In the Northern Ireland set up there are players like Aaron Hughes, Johnny Evans and James McPake but right now the 22 year old feels that it is all about getting games for Dunfermline:-

"I want to prove that I am good enough to push on in the SPL or back in England. I think this is a perfect place to develop; it is a young squad with a lot of lads who could go on to bigger and better things. With the Manager I think a lot of lads will get a chance; it is exciting times really."

The period spent in Spain has taught Callum to add composure to his game, he describes himself: as a leader on the park:-

"I like getting the ball down and passing it but that doesn't take away from my aggressive side. I am not scared to put my foot in; some people say that I am like an old fashioned centre back where I go and kick people. But I like to think that I am a bit of a leader; I talk and encourage. I honestly don't mind if I play left or right side of the central partnership; it doesn't make too much difference."