Scream effort is music to the ears of Pars defender

Martin says coach Shields’ sideline shouting keeps him on his toes

Lewis Martin reckons Dunfermline’s defence can keep them in with a shout of promotion because coach Greg Shields is having a bawl on the sidelines.

Shields spent seven years as a player with the Pars and returned to East End Park last year as part of Stevie Crawford’s backroom team.

The 43-year-old’s main remit is the Fifers’ reserve side but he is a constant and noisy presence in the dugout on game-day.

Martin has been filling in at full-back in recent outings, ensuring he has been getting it right in the neck from Shields – at least for 45 minutes.

But the 23-year-old is adamant he is happy to hear the former Rangers and Kilmarnock defender’s commands and demands because they help keep the Dunfermline rearguard on their toes.

Taking back-to-back clean sheets into today’s meeting with Queen of the South, Martin said: “He does that every game if I am on his side and if Euan Murray is on his side. He talks to us the full game.

“He does it every game but I think it actually helps us because he is a lot more experienced than we are.

“He knows a lot better than we do if we are not in the correct position.

“Then he tells us to tuck in a bit more or not to tuck in as much but go wider. It really helps us.

“I enjoy hearing him. He has been there and done it, not just in his playing career but coaching as well.

“He is a brilliant coach, his training is always really good. You are going to listen to him because he is so experienced and a really good coach. We will learn things from him.

“He is a lot more technical. When he takes the first team for training it is really good, different styles, different coaching but the boys really enjoy his style.

“We are hard to break down now and with the players we have going forward we can cause any team problems.”

Dunfermline welcome Allan Johnston back to East End Park this afternoon, with Queens desperately seeking points as they attempt to get away from secondbottom spot.

Martin admits the Pars will have an insight into their old manager’s approach but, with the Fifers desperate to improve on their current fifth place, he reckons there will be huge motivation in both camps.

He added: “We always want to win but it will be a bit more because they’ve been here, and they will be desperate to win.

“It will be a tough game but hopefully we can do well and get the three points.

“The old gaffer will just be desperate to win, really, because it didn’t work out well here.

“He is coming back, and he will be getting them as fired up as possible to play us.

“The league is that tight it could be anybody (down the bottom), really.

“There is not much in every team, if you get a few wins then you go up the table but if you start losing a few games it can take you down.”

SNS. Picture: Lewis Martin is happy to have Greg Shields shouting advice at him as the Pars chase promotion.