BY IAIN COLLIN – Capital City Press
New Dunfermline manager Allan Johnston has set his sights on up to three new signings as he prepares to make his competitive East End Park debut tomorrow (Saturday).
The former Queen of the South and Kilmarnock boss will follow up last Saturday’s comprehensive 4-1 win over Arbroath in the Petrofac Training Cup with a home League Cup tie against Fife rivals Cowdenbeath.
‘Magic’ was thrilled with the way the Pars kicked off the season with a bang last weekend and has urged them to continue meeting the high standards they set at Gayfield.
However, despite having so far added seven new faces, including the likes of Joe Cardle, Michael Paton, Callum Fordyce and Jason Talbot, Johnston wants more.
He said: “We’re still trying to bring in at least two, maybe three, new signings.
“You can see when it comes to the bench that we’re really short of players, so we probably need some extra numbers.
“We’re looking in different positions, just to strengthen the squad, really, so that if we get injuries or suspensions we’re covered and so there’s good competition as well.
“One minute you think you’re close and then you’re not and at other times you think you’re miles away and it happens the next day.
“It’s hard to tell, we just have to wait and see.”
As he prepares for his first proper run-out at East End Park, Johnston admits he is eager to give the Dunfermline fans the chance to boast to their local rivals following tomorrow’s Fife derby.
He added: “I’m sure it will make a difference that it’s a Fife derby. For the supporters, it’s really important to get the bragging rights on a Monday morning.
“You want to put on a good performance and get them on side, and get them behind the team.”
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