BY IAIN COLLIN – @CCP_sport
FARID El Alagui is confident he can overcome fitness concerns – and old rivalries – after penning a short-term deal with Dunfermline.
The 31-year-old shot to prominence during a prolific season with Falkirk but insists he had little hesitation in joining the Bairns’ arch enemies as he sought a new club.
The French-Moroccan suffered an injury-ravaged two seasons with Hibs before being freed in the summer, playing just 21 times because of a ruptured Achilles tendon, knee operation and further niggles.
However, he is convinced he is ready to put those tough times firmly in the past after joining the Pars until January.
El Alagui, who was also on trial at Inverness in the summer, said: “I’m happy to get something sorted out with Dunfermline. I was training with the club for two weeks and I had a good feeling about the place.
“I’ve been feeling good for a while but I realise for other people it can be seen as quite a risk because of my history with injuries.
“I’m glad I’ve been able to show I’m fit and ready to play.
“It’s the worst when you are not playing and you don’t do what you enjoy doing on a daily basis. It’s really hard.
Hungry
“But I’m hungry. I just want to get back playing and hopefully scoring goals.”
El Alagui netted an incredible 28 times during his one campaign with Falkirk, becoming a firm fans’ favourite before leaving to join Brentford in 2012.
Dunfermline were in the Premier League that season, but the former Wydad Casablanca marksman is fully aware of the friction that exists between his new employers and his old ones.
Speaking to Capital City Press, he added: “When you are a professional footballer it can happen that you end up playing for your old club’s rivals.
“Falkirk have a special place for me because it was such a great time for me there. I scored a lot of goals and loved playing for the club.
“But, over the years, people move on. Maybe a few years ago it would have been harder but that’s how football works now and I am at Dunfermline to give my all and do my best.”
