The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Hippolyte aims to win over fans after switch to East End Park
Myles Hippolyte has vowed to win over the boo-boys after completing a shock switch to Dunfermline.
The 23-year-old has been public enemy number one at East End Park since April last year when his act of simulation – he later received a ban – won a penalty to help the Pars’ fierce foes Falkirk to claim a 2-1 victory.
Dunfermline’s own Twitter feed posted a video of the incident, complete with a ‘diver’ emoji.
Sean Murdoch, who is still at the club, and Andy Geggan lambasted the player before ex-bairns boss Peter Houston labelled the Fifers “unprofessional”.
Hippolyte has been mercilessly jeered every time he has come up against Dunfermline since, meaning eyebrows were raised when he joined the club on a two-year deal from St Mirren yesterday.
Indeed, the announcement of his signing on social media yesterday was met by a barrage of criticism.
“Hopefully pretty quickly and they can change their opinions and be on my side,” said Hippolyte, acknowledging that his signing may not be universally welcomed.
“The plan is to hit the ground running with a couple of good performances. Even if you have never played for a rival team, there will be some fans who don’t think you are right or ready for their team.
“There will be people to win over and I look forward to that challenge. I would like to think I can win over the fans with my performances. I want to prove my worth to the supporters here.
“I have always said I enjoyed my time at Falkirk but you move on from clubs and priorities change. That is how it is for me and I want to do as well as I possibly can for Dunfermline.”
Hippolyte insists he has no fears about settling into a dressing room that includes several players he infuriated while in the colours of Falkirk.
“When you are playing for a club, they are your priority and you will always defend that team,” he added. “It doesn’t make a difference to me what anyone said before, it all about how we are towards each other going forward. I can’t wait to work with all the boys.
“I’ve already got a few friends in the dressing room in Jackson and Louis Longridge, and James Craigen and a few others, so it wasn’t too awkward!”
Dunfermline boss Allan Johnston, who secured the signing of Hippolyte just 24 hours after snapping up Faissal El Bakhtaoui on loan, did not shy away from the challenge facing Hippolyte.
However, he has no doubt the winger has the character and quality to become a ‘fans’ favourite’.
“Coming from your rivals, albeit via St Mirren, means that it is up to him to hit the ground running and make sure he becomes a favourite,” said Johnston.
“If you work hard for the team, show you want to be here and produce good performances then that will happen.
“In every game he has played against us, he’s caused us problems due to his pace and ability score goals.”