Stopping Morgan crucial for Pars

Williamson believes St Mirren winger is Scotland star in making

Dunfermline defender Ryan Williamson is convinced he will come up against a Scotland star in the making when he faces Lewis Morgan this afternoon, but is determined to keep his U21 team-mate quiet.

Morgan has been tipped for a call-up to the full squad when Alex McLeish names his selection on Monday, and Williamson would not be surprised to see St Mirren’s on-loan Celtic winger included.

The Pars full-back has seen enough of the Buddies star in action as an opponent and an international colleague to realise he is destined for big things.

Williamson said: “I’ve played against Lewis a couple of times this season and played with him in the U21s.

“Everyone knows how good a player he is. He’s very dangerous and has so much ability and great pace,” he said. “He’s a great lad, with a great attitude. “I think he would fully deserve a Scotland call-up.

“He’s had a great season with St Mirren, he’s pitched in with loads of goals and loads of assists, so it’s no surprise to me if he gets recognised by the full team.

“He’s a very tricky opponent, but I suppose it’s up to me to take him the other way and make him defend, and hopefully I’ll get some joy down the right-hand side for us.”

Dunfermline suffered three call-offs in the last fortnight and, having topped the table at the start of the campaign, are desperate to get back into the top four after falling five points behind Dundee United.

With Morton another point ahead in third spot, the Pars have it all to do to achieve their stated aim of at least giving themselves a shot at promotion via the end-of-season play-offs.

However, Williamson believes there is enough quality in the East End Park squad to come good in the final 11 games.

With Inverness Caley Thistle, Morton, Brechin City, Dundee United, Queen of the South, Livingston and Falkirk all to come in the space of the next month, the full-back added: “It’s been a really up-and-down season after we got off to a flyer, and we had really high hopes of having a chance of winning the league ourselves.

“Obviously it’s not quite worked out that way, but this is a really important part of the season and we’ve just got to make sure we’re picking up as many points as we can.

“You see how tight the league is, we’re still right in the mix for the play-offs, but it’s not going to be easy at all,” he said.

Pictures: SNS. Ryan Williamson, left, is well aware of the threat posed by Lewis Morgan.