One out, one in

Michal Hrivnak leaves, Robert Thomson signs

Slovakian goalkeeper, Michal Hrivnak has left Dunfermline Athletic. Jim Jefferies explained that the 22 year old had reached the stage where he was out of contract.

"We need to run a tight ship, Michal had lost his first team place to Ryan Scully who is here on loan and it was just a case that he had not progressed as well as we hoped he would. He has maybe found it difficult to settle here so we had a chat about it. I told him my thoughts and listened to what he was saying and we felt that it was best for both parties.

"He was due to go home for a few days because there is no game next weekend after five matches in three weeks. His contract was up in August but because of the transfer deadline it is better for him to be out of contract after the deadline. It won't affect him and he can go and play elsewhere."

A problem because of the change of ownership at the Club, the whole contract situation at Dunfermline requires attention ahead of the transfer deadline. Players have been signing monthly contracts but that option ends at the end of this month and those staying will be signed until the end of the season. The only players with shorter contracts through to the start of the January window are the on loan players:- Ryan Scully, Luke Johnston, Ryan Ferguson and Jordan Moore.

With four on loan the quota has been reached. Robert Thomson was a free agent and the 20 year old striker has now been signed until the end of 2013. The Manager feels that it is a big advantage that Robert partnered Jordan Moore at Dundee United:-

"The two of them played regularly together in the 20s last year. They know each other's game so that might be a bonus for us and it puts pressure on the other strikers. It gives us the four strikers with Allan Smith back and Ryan Wallace. Ryan Thomson was doing a turn for us up front, last season it worked for him, this year it has not. He is always better in the middle of the park coming on to it I believe."