The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Crawford’s boost as Whittaker and Watson join Pars
Former Dundee United defender Paul Watson and ex-Scotland international Steven Whittaker have joined Dunfermline.
Watson was the first part of a double signing made by manager Stevie Crawford as he continues preparing for the new Championship season.
He arrived at East End Park first then was quickly joined by former Hibs and Rangers defender Whittaker, 36, who has signed a one-year deal as a player-coach.
It looked like a very good piece of business indeed for Crawford as the Pars started reshaping their squad ahead of the hoped-for October 17 kick-off.
Watson, 29, made 23 appearances for title-winners United last season and has also played for Livingston, Raith Rovers and Falkirk. He has penned a two-year deal with the Pars.
As well as enjoying successful spells at the Ibrox and Easter Road clubs, Whittaker has also played for Norwich City in the English Premier league.
Crawford said he is determined to help Whittaker kick-start his coaching career with the East end Park outfit after signing the former Scotland star on a 12-month deal.
With 889 senior appearances between then, the duo will add experience and Championship knowhow to a Fifers squad shorn of some seasoned professionals when the club released 17 players last month.
And, whilst expecting 36-year-old to play a major the role on the pitch next term, in central midfield, Crawford is thrilled to be able to play a part in helping take Whittaker’s career to the next stage as a player-coach.
He said: “Steven was one that was put to us. His agent had got in touch with us to make us aware that he was free and we have been working in the background on that one.
“It is slightly different because Steven is also looking ahead to getting involved in the coaching set-up as well. He will be coming here as a player, very much so, but he will have a valued opinion in the coaches’ room as well.
“He has been doing a little bit of coaching last year at Hibs but the early parts of our conversations were about him playing.
“He spoke to several different parties on that side of it, and I’m sure that there were opportunities there for him to play in a higher league, but the way we spoke and hit it off, the homework that he had done on myself and Dunfermline, and likewise the homework that we had done on him, it just seemed a good fit.
“He is 10 years younger than the rest of the coaching staff – a different generation of how the modern footballer plays – so again it is an insight that we will be trying to use.
“He comes in as a player-coach. It can be a difficult step to take at times and, although we are going to have him on the pitch as often as we can, it is important for him that the players and supporters understand that he is here to develop himself as a coach as well.
“That is where he sees his longerterm future.”
Watson arrives at Dunfermline fresh from winning the Championship title with United and has also been backed to play a vital role with the Pars.
Crawford added: “Paul is an experienced Championship player and was part of a promotionwinning side last season, so I am absolutely delighted to bring in someone of that stature.
“I think that shows the allure of Dunfermline as a club still. I know that Steven and Paul spoke very highly of Dunfermline, which is nice because we keep saying that we would love to see us in the Premiership.
“Paul has just won the Championship with Dundee United and he has done his homework and he is excited with the prospect of kicking on in that vein next season.
“Steven, having played for Hibs for a number of years, has seen this move attractive enough to want to be part of this journey that we hope to be taking.”