The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Andy Ryan keen to find the goals to revive Dunfermline’s league campaign
Andy Ryan is convinced he and Hearts youngster Aidan Keena have the makings of a strike partnership that can revive Dunfermline’s season.
The pair combined up front for the first time on Tuesday night as Keena marked his first start for the Pars with a superb double against Inverness Caley Thistle.
The 19-year-old drilled in a magnificent second from 35 yards in the 2-2 draw and was a constant menace in attack.
Ryan returned to the starting line-up in the Highlands after dropping to the bench for last weekend’s 2-0 defeat to Dundee United.
The 24-year-old is determined to prove he can help shoot the Fifers back up the table as they head for a crucial encounter away to Alloa Athletic this afternoon.
He said: “Aidan has come in and has looked lively and looked sharp.
“He had waited for his chance – he needed to get a couple of weeks’ training under his belt – and I thought he did very well on Tuesday night.
“He’s quick and he’s a willing runner to go in behind defences.
“We did pretty well together. “We’ve got a few strikers and everyone’s just battling away for those spots up front.
“The manager has chopped and changed and is looking to find his front two.
“Whoever it may be just needs to make sure they’re on the team-sheet on a Saturday.
“In the last month or so I’ve played and got a couple of goals as well. I’m just trying to do my best for the team.”
Asked if Keena had stopped talking of Tuesday’s stunning goal, Ryan added: “I’d still be talking about it if I had scored it.
“It was a great strike.
“You can see that he’s sharp in and around the box, and he’s also shown that he can score from distance.
“He’s quick and he’s not scared to put himself about.
“He’s done well since he came in,” he said.
“Having got two goals on Tuesday I’m sure he’ll be looking to build on that.”
Dunfermline have struggled against Alloa so far this season, being held to a goalless stalemate in September before losing on penalties in the Irn-Bru Cup after a 2-2 draw last month.
However, with the Fifers having fared infinitely better on their travels this term – losing just one of nine away matches – Ryan is optimistic of the victory Allan Johnston’s men need to avoid becoming detached at the bottom end of the Championship.
He added: “We definitely need a win. Especially with the way we’ve started, three points are even more precious now.
“On Tuesday night we got one point but we need to build on that now and try to get all three.
“Normally it’s the other way about; normally you’re stronger at home than you are away.
“I can’t put my finger on why it’s been the opposite for us, but we just need to go away from home to Alloa and try to take the game to them because we need three points.
“It will be a difficult game going there and we need to be on our A game if we want to get anything out of the game.”