Hopkirk looking to taste some action

Striker wants to ditch the Jaffa Cakes and show he’s worth a starting place

David Hopkirk hopes to enjoy the sweet taste of success on the pitch with Dunfermline after getting bored eating Jaffa Cakes on the bench.

The 24-year-old has started just one game in the league this season, against Inverness six weeks ago, but is in line to come in for the injured Joe Cardle for this afternoon’s trip to face Brechin City.

The former Hamilton Accies and Annan Athletic forward scored the Pars’ second goal in last Saturday’s 3-0 win over St Mirren to help send the Fifers back to the top of the Championship.

And he is desperate for the chance to prove he has the appetite to keep the East End Park men riding high in the table.

He said: “It’s a shame for Joe because he was doing well, but obviously I have to step up now and take my chance.

“He was the one doing well and scoring goals, but I’ve waited for an opportunity to get in.

“I think it was a wee bit harsh getting dropped after the Inverness game, because I thought I played well and I scored.

“But the gaffer made his change and I had to keep my head down.

I’ve had to wait my turn and hopefully I can get a run of games now.

“Every time I do get a chance I’m scoring goals, so hopefully I can keep scoring.

“It’s fine coming on for the last 20 minutes but it’s hard to impress and score goals and get up to speed in the game when you’ve been sitting on the bench eating Jaffa Cakes!

“There’s Jaffa Cakes, Haribos, whatever there is I eat.

“I’m sitting there eating and saying ‘give’s a game’. I think it’s just boredom and they’re there.”

Meanwhile, Brechin boss Darren Dods believes Dunfermline’s attacking threat is summed up by the fact that Andy Ryan can only get on the bench.

And Dods knows that it will take a near impeccable defensive performance to keep the free-scoring Pars out in this bottom v top Championship clash.

“Andy Ryan was the best striker we came across in League One last season when he was with Airdrie,” he said.

“He has moved on to Dunfermline and the fact that he is not starting regularly tells you how good their other strikers are.

“We have to find a way to try and contain them as even in the game they lost at Morton recently they scored twice.

“Apart from the Inverness game we have been good at Glebe and all I can ask the players to do is to be at that standard again.”

Aron Lynas is banned, with Andy Jackson and Elliot Ford injured.

David Hopkirk is ready to play his part in Dunfermline’s promotion push. Picture: SNS.