Pars boss praises impact made by Whittaker behind the scenes

Stevie Crawford has hailed the impact Steven Whittaker has made since joining his backroom staff as he insisted the former Scotland star is capable of having a glittering coaching career.

The 36-year-old arrived at Dunfermline at the start of the season after being released by Hibernian and has impressed on the pitch during the Championship leaders’ 100% start to the campaign.

However, he is also making his presence felt behind the scenes as he begins to consider life after hanging up his boots.

The ex- Rangers and Norwich star takes part in all staff meetings, helps to plan training and matchday strategy, and oversees sessions on a Monday as he embarks on his coaching journey.

And Crawford believes the sky is the limit for Whittaker, depending on where he sees his own dugout journey leading.

He said: “Steven will know himself what pathway he wants to take.

“I could tell in discussions over the summer that he s till wants the responsibility of playing football but he wanted to dip his toe into the coaching side – and I could tell that he was serious about it.

“He has done some of his badges, he has done a management course and is very level-headed.

“He will work out what is for him – whether that is becoming a manager, an assistant or just a coach – but I have no doubt Steven will have a good future in the game.

“We are benefiting from it at this moment in time but I’m sure that a lot of young players will benefit from listening to Steven in future years.”

Raith Rovers will again be without manager J oh nMcG lynn this weekend as they bid to keep their impressive unbeaten run going.

The former Hearts and L iv ingston boss is recovering from surgery and will again be absent when Rovers host Morton.

The 58 - year- old has already had to sit out the games against East Fife, Hearts, Arbroath, Queen of the South and Dundee following an operation on his gallbladder last month and was expected back in the dugout by now.

However, doctors have discovered an infection that was slowing his recuperation and assistant Paul Smith is hopeful of having his “gaffer” back in the near future.

He said: “It was just slow improvement with John week by week, so he went back into hospital and he’s got an infection, which they’ve now got to.

“So, he’s getting that treated and he’s now sounding a lot better and in a lot better spirits.”