‘Only a matter of time’ before bids for Pars defender

Allan Johnston reckons it is “only a matter of time” before Dunfermline have to field bids for defender Ryan Williamson.

The full-back has been linked with a possible move to Hibernian this summer and was on the radar of Derby County last season.

The 22-year-old was a top-team regular for the Pars last term after previous campaigns were wrecked by two serious injuries.

And Johnston believes the youngster, who has a year left on his contract at East End Park, is certain to be a future target if he keeps up his energetic displays at right-back.

He said: “You wouldn’t be surprised if teams were looking at Ryan, because I thought he had a really good season.

“He was really consistent and got into the Scotland under-21s as well.

“If he keeps up the form he’s been on, I think it’s probably only a matter of time before big clubs start to put offers in for Ryan.”

Meanwhile, Johnston admits fans’ favourite Joe Cardle was simply a victim of his desire to revamp his squad this summer.

The Pars finished fourth last term and fell at the first hurdle against Dundee United in the play-offs, and Johnston wanted a new approach for next term.

Cardle returned to Dunfermline for a second spell in 2015 and played more than 100 times to take his outings for the Fifers to nearly 250, but was freed earlier this month alongside Nat Wedderburn.

Johnston said: “Both were good servants to the club. They are good players and played a big part in the last couple of seasons. We just thought it was time to freshen the squad up and look at different options.”