Devine says Pars’ main goal to keep up winning ways

Dunfermline in pole position for cup knockout stages after string of wins

DUNFERMLINE v STIRLING ALB

Danny Devine insists Dunfermline will be desperate to keep feeding their winning habit as they bid to confirm their progress in the Betfred Cup this afternoon.

The Pars are already near certainties for the knockout stages after recording three victories from three competitive outings so far.

Having followed up their opening success against Peterhead by defeating Dundee at Dens Park, the Fifers continued their impressive start to the season with a 7-1 thrashing of Brechin City on Wednesday night.

A point at home to Stirling Albion today would be enough to clinch top spot in Group D but Devine is eager to see Allan Johnston’s new-look team keep up their 100% record with another win.

The summer signing said: “It’s still early days but the boys are working well together and we’re starting to gel as a team.

“The results are showing that and hopefully we can keep improving and keep building.

“People might say it is still ‘preseason’ but it’s good to get into the habit of winning football games and scoring goals and keeping clean sheets.

“That’s what we’ve done at the start of this League Cup.

“We’ve hit the ground running, in terms of goals conceded and goals at the other end. So things are looking good.

“Against Dundee, the boys put in a great shift against Premiership opposition. We know the quality we’ve got in the squad and it’s up to us to go out and show the fans and other teams how good we are.

“This is one of these games where it’s all about our attitude and how we approach the game.

“It was similar on Wednesday night and I think the boys showed great attitude to go there and get the job done. This game will be similar.

“We’re in a great position in the group but I know the boys and I know the kind of squad we are, and I know we’ll want to go and put in a good performance and get the win.”

Devine got the ball rolling in midweek with the opening goal at Glebe Park, the new recruit’s first strike since May 2018.

However, the former Inverness Caley Thistle and Partick Thistle stopper admits he now has the taste for more action in attack, while also ensuring he does his main defensive duties.

The Northern Irishman added: “It’s good to get off the mark early doors. It’s been a long time since I’ve scored a goal, but I’m delighted to help the team.

“My last one was three seasons ago, for Inverness. As defenders, we have to take pride in clean sheets, that’s our main aim going into the game, to keep the opposition out.

“But it’s always good to get up and help the attackers out and be a threat in the opposition box.

“If you watched the World Cup, it proved set-pieces are vital, so it’s good to have plenty of height in the team and hopefully we can help the forwards.

“We’ve got a lot of height, so at the minute the three boys at the back are going up for set-pieces. Hopefully we can be a real threat.”

Picture: SNS. Danny Devine says the team can keep building.