Pars players have contracts at stake

Dunfermline may be in no-man’s land between the Championship promotion race and the relegation battle but Jason Talbot insists there will be no slacking off as the Pars play for their futures at the club.

The Fifers host Morton today in their penultimate league match having been ruled out of the play-offs that their visitors are preparing for.

After a poor start to life back in the Championship, Allan Johnston’s side have also ensured they cannot be dragged back into the drop zone.

However, with most of the East End Park squad out of contract this summer, Talbot is adamant there will be plenty riding on the visit of Ton this afternoon in the club’s final home game of the campaign.

Hoping for a deal himself, he said: “My contract’s up at the end of the season, so like the majority of the squad I’m playing for my future.

“There’s not been any discussions, so I’m just biding my time. Hopefully I’ll hear within the next week, I’d certainly like to.

“I want to stay.

“I’ve always said I’m a Dunfermline player until someone tells me otherwise.

“I’ll do what I can for the club in the time being and hopefully I’ll deserve another contract.

“We’d like to finish with as many points as we can and you want to put on a show for the supporters in the last home game of the season.

“If we don’t put the work in then it could affect some of the boys’ futures, and no one wants that. “I’d like to put in a performance.” Manager Johnston has been eager for clarity on the club’s place in the Championship next term before turning his attentions to contract talks.

It is an approach that Talbot understands but the full-back is now keen for a resolution as the final game of the season approaches next weekend.

He added: “Now that we’re certain we’re staying in this league, I would like to get things wrapped up as soon as possible.

“I want to stay and hopefully that’s something the manager would like as well.”