Duthie contract extension
Thursday, 8th Dec 2016Dunfermline Athletic are delighted to announce that Conner Duthie has signed a one year contract extension with the club.
Conner Duthie said that he was "very excited" to have signed an extension to his contract at Dunfermline, he told the website:-
"I have been doing really well and my opportunity has come to get a new contract. Obviously I am willing to take it, so it is really good."
After impressive performances in the under 20s and a first team start at Buckie, clearly the 19 year old who signed from Hibs in March this year, has caught the eye of the manager. He played that down saying:-
"It is not just all about myself, it is about the boys around me who have got me there as well. I am really pleased with that and now I can push on to hopefully play first team football. If it happens it happens, but if it doesn`t then obviously I still have the 20s to go to so that is really good.
"As long as I`m playing football I am happy and if that means playing 20s games and be on the bench for first team games I don`t really mind that.
"After joining from Hibs I have really enjoyed it. All the boys made me feel welcome as soon as I came in. It is just really good to get along with all the boys.
"It is hard to go into the first team training, it is a totally different experience. When you train with the first team it means that you are doing well and you can take experience from it."
Conner signs in the same week as fellow 19 year old Scott Lochhead also extended his contract at Dunfermline. The success of the team in this season`s Development League clearly demonstrates the club`s strength at under 20 level. Conner feels that other members of the squad will be encouraged by the two contracts and now he is targeting first team football concluding "It is what I want to be doing."
Manager Allan Johnston added:-
"We have high hopes for him. As long as he keeps progressing and working as hard as what he has been, it is up to him now he just has to try and force his way into the first team plans.
"There are a few of them that aren`t far away and if they progress then I am sure that they will get their chance.
"When the other young lads see Conner and Scott playing in the first team they must be thinking `well I could do that as well`. Hopefully it pushes them on, raises their game and puts pressure on the first team boys to keep their place.
"Conner and Scott have improved over the time that they have been here but they have to keep improving. You cannot afford to stand still, it is a longer contract but they need to keep on getting better."
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