Kiltie coup is massive for delighted Crawford

Stevie Crawford admits he cannot believe his luck after snapping up Greg Kiltie on loan – with the Dunfermline boss revealing he has been an admirer of the winger since he made his Kilmarnock debut at 16.

Crawford was visibly thrilled to have snapped up the classy wideman on a season-long deal from Killie on deadline day, having tracked him through the summer.

He reckons the former Scotland under-19 international boasts the skill and guile to make a difference in the final third – and is experienced well beyond his years.

Kiltie, still only 22, has already made more than 100 appearances for Kilmarnock, Queen of the South and Morton, including several outings against Celtic and Rangers.

Crawford said: “Greg has the qualities we need. He was highly regarded enough to break into the Kilmarnock team at 16 years of age and I have always liked him since then.

“We had identified him in the summer but with the quality that he has got, and the management change at Kilmarnock, you never know. You are never privy to know the ins and outs of what is happening at another football club.

“But when it came to our attention that Greg was available we had a conversation with him and are delighted to have brought him on board.

“I know that he is still young but he has got big-match experience. He knows what it is like to prepare for a game, to handle a crowd if the game isn’t going your way. He has also handled playing in front of bigger crowds as well.

“He has a big future ahead of him and we are very lucky to have him on board.”

The closure of the transfer window brought a staggering summer of business at Dunfermline to a close, with Crawford completely rebuilding the squad at East End Park in the space of a couple of months.

Remarkably, the Pars made 14 signings – and Crawford is looking forward to focusing solely on football.

He said: “I am thankful now that we can focus our attentions on the football between now and the January transfer window.”

Stevie Crawford: 14 signings.