Crawford is backing Henderson to play big part in play-off push

Stevie Crawford has tipped Ewan Henderson to play a major part in Dunfermline’s promotion push in the coming weeks.

The Celtic youngster joined the Pars on loan last month and made his debut as a substitute in the 3-2 defeat to Dundee a few days later.

The 21-year-old’s first start did not go so well, as the Fifers were trounced 5-1 by Raith Rovers, and he had to make do with a substitute’s role again in last Saturday’s goalless draw with Hearts.

But Crawford has no doubts the midfielder can be key to Dunfermline’s play-off push in their remaining five games.

He said: “To be fair, Ewan hadn’t even had a training session with us when we introduced him into the Dundee game.

“But all year we had done our homework on him.

“Technically, he is very comfortable on the ball, he sees a forward pass.

“It was a hard night for him in the Rovers game and then he came on and had a part to play in the draw against Hearts.

“He will be a big player for us in the coming games.

“When we brought him in we knew it was only for a few games, but we are thankful that Celtic have made it possible for us to get him into the building.

“He brings a different dimension.

“Ewan has good body movement, he sends players the wrong way. He has got that pass in him. He is creative and I am sure that he will be an exciting player for us over the next five games.”

Dunfermline dropped back out of the top-four in the Championship with Inverness Caley Thistle’s 4-1 win over Morton on Tuesday night.

Just six points separate Raith in the runners-up spot from Queen of the South in sixth, and Morton in second-bottom are only a further five points behind.

But Crawford’s side remain firmly in the hunt for a play-off spot ahead of tomorrow’s trip to face Ayr United, despite winning just four of 19 games since November.

He is hopeful the character shown to recover from their Fife derby demolition, to more than hold their own against Hearts last weekend, shows they can piece together a challenge for promotion.

He added: “If you listen back to managers talking in this league we all sound like stuck records, but the reality is it is that competitive and there is nothing in the league.

“We have all hit different bits of form at different stages of the season.

“I know for ourselves, I did say that it was going to be a rollercoaster.

“We are working with a new squad, a young squad.

“Sometimes you have to face adversity but it makes more of a man of you.

“We are going to have to show that fight, determination, application that we showed against Hearts on Saturday to make sure that we are where we want to be come the end of the season.”

Ewan Henderson could feature in remaining games.