Johnston thrilled at ‘short-term’ addition of Crawford to Pars staff

Allan Johnston has hailed Stevie Crawford’s experience after adding his former Scotland teammate to the Dunfermline backroom team.

Crawford began work with the Pars yesterday as a short-term replacement for John Potter, who moved to England to join Jack Ross as first-team coach at Sunderland at the weekend.

Crawford, the former Dunfermline striker and Falkirk and Hearts number two, was out of work after leaving his post as assistant manager at MK Dons when boss Robbie Neilson was sacked in January.

Johnston revealed Crawford’s appointment is only temporary but it remains to be seen whether he would be considered as a permanent replacement for Potter at East End Park.

The Fifers boss said: “Stevie has come in in the short-term just while we look for a longer-term replacement.

“He knows the club, he’s a good lad, and I was actually in the under-21s with him many moons ago.

“He’s coached at a really good level and he brings that wee bit of experience. We’re really grateful that he’s willing to come in.”

Dunfermline are also waiting in the wings to take Ross Stewart to East End Park on loan from St Mirren if new Paisley boss Alan Stubbs agrees to farm out the 21-year-old striker.

Stewart joined the Paisley side last summer from Albion Rovers, a year after stepping up from the junior ranks where he played for Kilwinning Rangers.

The attacker featured in 17 games and scored twice before being loaned to Alloa in January where he scored 10 times as the Wasps were promoted via the play-offs.

The Pars are believed to be at the head of the queue as Johnston looks to rebuild his forward line after the departures of Nicky Clark to Dundee United and Declan Mcmanus to Ross County.

Ross Stewart: Possible loan target for Pars.