Crawford’s high hopes for towering striker after impressive short debut

Stevie Crawford believes Vytas Gaspuitis’ Dunfermline debut proved he can handle Scottish football.

The towering Lithuania internationalist made his bow as a late substitute in Saturday’s 1-0 victory over Morton as the Pars sought to shut up shop and cling on to all three points.

The new signing is 6ft 6in and helped the Fifers stand firm in the closing stages against Morton.

Crawford said: “It would be a nice feeling for him because he’s been training extremely hard.

“In all honesty, he came probably not having played a game in two months. So, it’s been like a pre-season from him during the season and he’s been great in terms of his attitude.

“He only got on for a couple of minutes, but right away you could see he’s up for a physical battle.

“He is a strong individual, whose mindset is to come over here and do well. He wants to bring something to the table.”

Meanwhile, Dunfermline remain frustrated in their attempts to restore defender Lewis Martin to fitness.

The former Scotland under-19 internationalist has not played at all this season because of a troublesome ankle and foot injury.

The 24-year-old has been seen by specialists but the cause of his on-going problem remains a mystery.

Crawford added: “There is frustration that we cannot get to the root of the problem.

“We just have to be there to support him. It has been a difficult season for Lewis.

“He knows that we think the world of him here and that we are there for him to try and help him through these tough times.”