Johnston hails board backing as Ryan pens two-year deal

Dunfermline manager Allan Johnston has hailed the signing of Airdrie striker Andy Ryan on a two-year deal.

The Pars have shelled out a fee – described by Airdrie chairman Jim Ballantyne as ‘at a level that could not be declined’ -– for the former Hamilton Accies marksman, who still had this season left to run on his Diamonds deal.

The 22-year-old, whose transfer was cleared in time to play against Arbroath in the Irn-Bru Cup last night, scored 27 times for Airdrie last season and Johnston believes the Fifers have recruited a player who is hungry for success.

He said: “Andy is at a good age, is a goal-scorer and is somebody that wants to improve and get to as high a level as he can.

“We’ve been talking to Airdrie for the last couple of months and I’m delighted to have got it over the line to get him on board.

“He adds to the competition up front and has the kind of pace and movement that we like from our attacking players.”

Johnston is also thrilled with the backing shown by the Dunfermline board after they paid to bring in Ryan.

He added: “I leave that side of things to [chairman] Ross McArthur, but it shows the ambition the club has and the direction we’re determined to move in.”

Ballantyne revealed ‘a number of club’s had targeted Ryan in recent weeks but only a ‘revised offer’ from Dunfermline persuaded Airdrie to sell.

He said: “Whilst in the short term this is a blow, the deal on offer was at a level that could not be declined.

“We have to be honest and clubs at our level are ‘selling’ clubs and every player has a price. We are content that price was achieved.”

Allan Johnston is thrilled by signing.