From a Par to a Lion

Livvy's Stefan Scougall was at Dunfermline as a youth but decided to make the move away while in the Pars under 19's.

Stefan Scougall was a thorn in the Pars side on Saturday as Livingston secured a 2-1 win over the Fifers at the Braidwood Motor Company Stadium. He talked to the Pars website after the game:-

"We owed Dunfermline one from the last time we played them when we just weren't at the races at East End Park. It is a great win for us,"

Stefan in DAFC U19s v Queens Park at the Fleet Ground

Stefan joined the Hibs youth system from primary seven at Inch School.  After six years there the midfielder left to join Dunfermline Athletic. The Gracemount High School pupil was promoted to the  Under 19 squad for season 2009-10 but decided to make the move away.. He explained his reasons for leaving:-

"I felt that at the time it was the correct move because I felt that I would progress quicker into the first team at Livingston than I would have at Dunfermline. Also I was only on a year" s contract and they were only willing to give me one more year. Livingston gave me an extra year and that little bit more security.

" I have made it into the first team so it has obviously paid off."

Stefan front row second from right, in front of Ryan Thomson

Stefan actually moved for less money but felt that the opportunity for his development was better at the West Lothian club.

"For me it is not about the money, it was about playing and my development. There have been a good number of successful players who have come through from Livingston - there's a good few who are down in England now and Leigh Griffiths is at Hibs and scoring for fun."

Stefan v Livingston

It was Jim McArthur who took the player to Livingston and he has gained first hand from working with Brian Welsh in the under 19s, Gary Bollan who gave him his debut in October 2010 as a second half sub against Stenhousemuir and John Hughes. John Collins has been a great help on the training ground and Stefan made his 45 appearance in the match against the Pars. He reckoned that was a pretty good record for a player who was 20 just the previous day:-

"It has only been last season and this season that I have established myself in the team". Stefan then went on to give his account of the first half incident that saw the Pars Callum Morris red carded for a challenge on him.

" I saw it coming and I tried to jump out of the way but he still caught me. I felt the tackle but didn't really see it."

Stefan v Pars on Saturday