New signing is versatile acquisition

Manager Allan Johnston was pleased to sign Michael Paton, someone he described as a "quality player".

"He is somebody who should probably be playing at a higher level so this is going to be a big year for him. He has a lot of ambition and obviously wants to do well. He sees this as a club that can help match his ambition.

"He has got a bit of everything, he has a bit of pace, he can beat people, he is creative, he can score goals. He gives us options as well because he can play on both sides of the pitch and he can also play in behind the striker as well. It is quite handy to have somebody who is a bit versatile."

Michael himself prefers to call himself an attacker as opposed to a striker and the manager continued:-

"He is a goal threat as well and that is what we are needing this year. He doesn't really play striker, he is mainly a wide player. He has picked up niggles in the past and that's probably why he has not reached the heights that he should be at because he is a quality player.

"It is all about us this year making sure that he is fit and has a successful year. His contract at Queen of the South had expired and there was a lot of Championship interest as well so we are absolutely delighted to get somebody of his quality to add to the squad."

Allan Johnston signed Michael for Queen of the South after the player left Aberdeen and he did really well at Palmerston. He went into a side that went on to win the league:-

"If you look at a lot of the boys in that team at Queens have all moved on to big clubs. Michael is desperate to be successful as well. That is the type of player that you want, people who want to push themselves and make sure that they are successful."

The manager did not have news of any further signings but he claimed to be talking to a few possible signings. Michael Paton trained with Dunfermline on a couple of days last week and others will come in for what will be primarily double sessions this week ahead of the first friendly away to East Fife.

"On Saturday they will only play part of the game, it is more important at this time of year to do the fitness stuff. We need to make sure that when the games come we start really well."

The Pars manager was at the exit trials held at the weekend at Broadwood, he commented:-

"There were some good players there as well, we are having a look at a couple of them as well. We just need to make sure that we get the signings right and not just bring in people for the sake of it. We need people who are going to improve the team."

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