Hopkirk has Ayr of confidence

Hoppy scored at Ayr on his Dunfermline debut in January 2015 and again in December last year.

David Hopkirk made what he reckoned was his fourth come back against Hearts in the Development League match on Wednesday night. He is well aware that the Dunfermline squad has now lots of competition in the striking positions but the scorer of a winning goal against Ayr United last season is hoping that he can be given a chance to repeat the feat.

Last December Hoppy came off the bench to set up the ten man Dunfermline Athletic team for an important 2-1 win at Somerset Park and realistically making the bench for this Saturday`s game would be a major step forward for the 23 year old whose involvement this season has been three appearances as sub. He told this website:-

"It is just about getting my match fitness back. I just want to go out and do what I do. I did that in the U20s game at St Johnstone then I was meant to start on the Saturday because I had done well earlier in the week but my hamstring went on the day before the game."

Hoppy scored twice on Wednesday night, including one from the penalty spot. That is a start to his top priority this season, scoring more goals.

"I am quite confident at penalties, I just hit it hard and low. I am just trying to add goals to my game and I prefer playing upfront. When you are on the wing you don`t really get involved if it`s not down your wing."

Hoppy watched from the stand as the Pars defeated St Mirren 4-3 in the last Championship match and he agreed that conceding less goals might make winning an easier task:-

"We work on the defence every day in training. If you change the defence people can`t get used to each other but if you are not winning you have to change something. Everyone in the team is involved in defending."

Just to get a chance to be included in that effort would delight David Hopkirk but he now feels that he is fit and ready to take part.

"Wednesday night was the first time I have played without a niggle. My back wasn`t sore, my hamstring didn`t bother me. Every time I was coming back from a hamstring injury my back got sore. I feel really good now because I did the rehab the right way.

"The first time I rushed back, doing extra but not the right stuff. I have been dong a lot of running, leg weights and a lot of stretching. I feel a lot better and looking forward to getting back playing. I want to enjoy it this time."

With strikers Gavin Reilly, Nicky Clark and Farid El Alagui arriving at East End Park this season to contest the forward roles alongside Michael Moffat, Hoppy knows that he has a challenge to catch the eye and get the nod from the manager.

"I like the competition, I need to keep doing it in training and adding goals. I have not had a run of games to get my fitness up, my first start last season was at Stranraer but the next week I got dropped to the right but I scored that week. Then the next week at Cowdenbeath the narrow park didn`t help me on the right wing.

"I am better upfront. I just want to play there but know it will be hard to start there."

In five matches he has played for Dunfermline against Ayr he has won every time. Somerset Park has proved to be a happy place for Hoppy. He scored there on his Dunfermline debut in January 2015 and again in December last year.

"I like the park and I like the fans standing. It is loud and I like the atmosphere. A lot of the players like going there and I hope that I am involved."