Lochhead extends contract

19 year old Scott Lochhead has signed an extension to his contract at Dunfermline.

Scott Lochhead has accepted a new contract offer that means he will continue at Dunfermline until the end of the season. Initially signed on a short term contract due to his return from several injuries, the 19 year old midfielder has proved to be a great success in the Pars under 20s this season.

"I have virtually played every game and every minute every week. My confidence is building and I have started to play better progressively. Hopefully I can keep being consistent and push now for the first team, making squads and benches and appearances from there."

Scott signed a two-year deal with Dundee United three games into the 2014-15 season. He featured with their Development squad during his two seasons at the club, but while there Scott suffered a few nasty injuries including a broken leg and a knee operation. He was released without making his debut in January 2016.

"I had to do a lot of background work on how to look after my body for my specific needs. I have just found a way to keep me away from the problems that I had. I have been training most days and chuffed at that.

"The manager has spoken to me about the end product - that`s what matters, scoring goals and creating chances. I have just been trying to work hard on that side of my game.

"I have played in a few different positions attacking wise and so that has given me a chance to play in different areas of the pitch. I hit shots earlier from anywhere because I had a habit of taking one touch too many."

Brought up in Stepps he was a youth player with Rangers for six years. Scott moved across the Old Firm divide to sign for Celtic as a youth in 2012. He went on to represent the Parkhead club at SPFL Under 20 level before his release in the summer of 2014. Now at Dunfermline Scott feels part of a team:-

"The 20s have been playing together regularly and I feel that they have done really well this season. We work as a team and we all know how each other plays. Before we go out we always say `stick together` and it seems to have worked for us. Potts has us together and makes sure we work together."

The 20s have coped well with the necessary augmentation of first team squad players in need of game time, Scott whose new contract includes option for an additional year, continued:-

"It probably disrupts us a wee bit although lately we have had a good spell of just us playing. We have all enjoyed it but it is just one of those things."

Scott and the rest of the under 20s squad are looking forward to the Scottish Youth Cup against Ayr United on Sunday:-

"We have been doing really well in that, we are all enjoying it and hopefully we can keep going round by round to the final. That would be enjoyable. We are all taking it seriously, obviously everybody wants to play well but we want to keep progressing.

"I know that I have to keep consistently doing what the manager and Potts have been telling me. My objective is to play in the first team because I`m getting to an age now where I should, fingers crossed, be progressing.

"I was worried at one point whether the opportunity would be there but Conner Duthie was given his opportunity last week and it is good for the rest of us to see that. Hopefully there will come a time when somebody else will be tried. It does give you confidence when you see teammates getting a game."

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