DECLAN TAKES HIGH ROAD TO JOIN SIDE ON UP
ROSS COUNTY v DUNFERMLINE
DECLAN McMANUS admits it was sheer ambition that drove him north from Dunfermline to Dingwall last summer.
But the former Aberdeen, Fleetwood and Pars striker will always be thankful for a highly enjoyable 12 months at East End Park.
After 12 goals and a fourth-place finish in the Championship, McManus fired a 13th of the season to send Dunfermline into a tantalising lead against Dundee United in the Premiership play-off quarter-final second leg.
Replies from Scott McDonald and Sam Stanton in the last 33 minutes killed the dream but the 24-year-old left Fife with praise and goodwill ringing in his ears.
He also scooped a couple of club Player of the Year awards, with fans appreciating the nippy striker’s tenacity and workrate in a black and white jersey.
He said: “I had a really good year and really enjoyed my time at Dunfermline. I left with most of the Player of the Year awards as well.
“It was my choice to leave the club purely on the basis I felt there was a good opportunity at Ross County to really go and test myself.
“Not so much at a bigger club but at a club that was really striving to do something this season by getting back to the Premiership.
“I felt it was going to be a bigger challenge for me and so it has proved.
“I’m not going to play every week here. It’s a better squad and a stronger squad.”
Dunfermline’s Lee Ashcroft insists some harsh words and a few days off can help revitalise the Pars and get their promotion hopes back on track against County.
The Pars succumbed to a shock derby defeat at home to Falkirk in their last outing a fortnight ago.
It was a fourth straight defeat at East End Park where Allan Johnston’s side have won just once since the Betfred Cup group stage in July.
The defender said: “The Falkirk defeat was a sore one to take. We had words, just to try to get something out of it because obviously it wasn’t good enough.
“Sometimes getting a game right away can be best but I think having last weekend off was good for us. The gaffer gave us a couple of days to go away and chill out.
“Everyone’s come back looking really good. It’s been a good week.”