The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Crawford looking for Pars to dish up another helping of cup-run joy
Stevie Crawford has urged Dunfermline to bring back the knockout feelgood factor with another cup run.
The Pars enjoyed an impressive Betfred Cup campaign, reaching the quarter-finals before losing to St Johnstone in an agonising penalty shoot-out.
Ha v i n g got within touching distance of a trip to Hampden, Crawford is desperate for his side to taste more success as they prepare for tomorrow’s Scottish Cup clash with Morton.
He said: “It’s the feelgood factor that you get from a cup run.
“The boys faced a very good St Johnstone side who were in a good bit of form and these are games you want to be involved in.
“Cappielow is not an easy place to go to and we know it will be a very testing game.
“In the four games Morton have had under Anton Mcelhone, with Jim Mcalister, Chris Millar and Brian Mclean all helping him on the coaching side of things, they have had two wins and two draws.
“That is the bit that sticks out to me, they have hit a good bit of form themselves.
“They will be playing with a good bit of confidence.
“They seem to have a set style of play the y are playing at the moment and we have to make sure we are hitting the levels we did in the Inverness game to go and give them a game and a run for their money.”
Having rested players in the 1-1 draw with Caley Thistle on December 29, Dunfermline enjoyed a free weekend last Saturday following the postponement of their Fife derby against Raith Rovers because of a frozen pitch.
Ho w e v e r, Crawford believes he will continue having to make tough selection decisions as the Pars enter a hectic period sparked by three games in the space of just six days.
The Fifers face a massive match against Hearts on Tuesday followed by the return trip to face Morton in the league next Friday.
He added: “I said after the Inverness game I was really happy with the performance on the night.
“I have every confidence in all the squad that we can rotate or if we have to change formation or whatever it may be for the challenges ahead.
“It was disappointing the
Raith game never went ahead, but that is Scottish football for you, at some stage of the season you are going to face it.
“I’m sure we will face that through January and February as well.
“It is just about focusing on the Morton game.”