The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Three sign on to stay with Pars
Dunfermline have secured three players on new contracts and remain hopeful of hanging on to in-demand top scorer Nicky Clark.
Defender Lee Ashcroft has penned a two-year deal, while January signings Lee Robinson and James Craigen have both signed on for another 12 months.
The trio were key to the endof-season run that clinched a promotion play-off place but could not help the Pars see off Dundee United in the quarterfinals.
The Tangerines and Premiership newcomers St Mirren have targeted out-of-contract Clark after the former Rangers striker knocked in 21 goals in his best season for five years.
With Fraser Aird set to sign for United after going back on an agreement to stay at East End Park, boss Allan Johnston is eager to ward off another raid from the Tannadice club.
He said: “There is going to be interest in players, that’s part and parcel of football.
“We have spoken to Nicky and we have offered contracts to players, but there’s always going to be interest from other clubs as well.
“You can’t prevent that from happening and we’ll just have to see where we can end up.
“I don’t know if players have been offered contracts elsewhere but we want to try to keep our best players, because they’re hard to replace.”
Dunfermline have freed midfielder Michael Paton and the Fifers remain in discussions with a host of others as they rebuild for next season.
Johnston, who has himself verbally agreed a new deal, is thrilled to have secured Ashcroft, Robinson and Craigen.