‘James deserved happy end’
Crawford glad SFA reversed Keatings ban for cup final
DUNFERMLINE manager Stevie Crawford is glad James Keatings has been given a cup final reprieve but is convinced the good news will not have any bearing on tonight's clash with Inverness Caley Thistle.
The Scottish FA's decision to look again at the yellow card for simulation that ruled Keatings out of Caley Thistle's Challenge Cup final against Raith Rovers next month has afforded the Highlanders and their striker a timely pick-me-up for their trip to East End Park.
During his spell assistant-manager, worked with the as Hearts Crawford 28-year-old and is thrilled charge will now play in the final.
However, he believes the controversial episode and its happy ending will not be allowed to affect Inverness' preparations for this evening's crucial league encounter.
He said: “I worked with James at Hearts. He's got a decent left foot on him and he's a very good finisher.
“I never like to see any player missing out on a cup final, whether it's in the World Cup, European football, Scottish football or at any level.
“When you've played your part in the run-up to the it is never nice his former be freed to final, to see someone miss out through whatever circumstances. “But I don't think that will have an effect on how Inverness prepare for our game. Robbo and his staff will take care of that. “James has proved over the years that he's a very good Championship player and I wouldn't expect anything other than him being fully focused on this game, whether that ban was to be overturned or not.” Putting the SFA quarrel to one side, Inverness will be intent on shrugging off Friday night's 2-1 defeat to Dundee United at Tannadice.
It was a result that left the Highlanders just one point clear in second place and means Dunfermline can move to within two points of their visitors with a victory that would lift the Fifers to fourth in the table.
The Pars will have to overcome a lay-off that, because of cup scheduling in the previous fortnight, stretched to over three weeks on Saturday with the postponement of their trip to face Partick Thistle.
However, Crawford, who will be without new loan signing from QPR, Dylan Duncan, because of a foot injury, is hopeful his players will be able to cope as they relish a return to the action.
He added: “It's not ideal that we've gone this long without a competitive fixture but we're trying everything to make sure we're keeping the boys in good condition and ready for the demands of a competitive game.”