The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Boss won’t be chasing cup windfall
Stevie Crawford insists he is not about to get “greedy” by asking for a cut of Dunfermline’s expected windfall from next month’s Betfred Cup clash with Celtic.
The Pars were paired with the champions in the last-16 draw after sealing top spot in their group with Saturday’s 4-0 rout of East Kilbride.
Crawford admits he might have preferred a home tie against a team that gave the Fifers a better chance of progressing in the tournament.
However, following last season’s financial struggles, he knows the money-spinning trip to Glasgow will be welcomed in the boardroom.
And, having been backed to bring in 10 players already this summer, Crawford is not planning on pushing chairman Ross McArthur for extra funds as he seeks to finalise his squad in the coming weeks.
He said: “Would we have liked a home tie against other opposition? Probably, giving us a chance to progress in the tournament.
“That’s not to say we can’t go there and shock Celtic.
“But the exciting thing for us now as a coaching staff is we’re going to go to Parkhead and play against the team that’s been the best in Scotland for a number of years now.
“It’s a good draw for us and one that we can look forward to, although it will be a big ask.
“I’ve not spoken to Ross yet but the cup-tie will obviously help the club financially. After the difficulties of last season, I’m sure it will strengthen us as a club.
“They’ve been great, in terms of what they’ve managed to let us bring in, so I’m not going to get greedy on that one.
“If the opportunity arises that we can look to strengthen the squad and we feel that it’s right, I’ll have conversations with Ross on that.
“But, at the moment, we’re looking to bring in that one wide player and whether we add anything more to that I don’t know.”