Teenager Keena can be ‘big player’ for Pars

Allan Johnston has backed Hearts striker Aidan Keena to be a “big player” for Dunfermline after his deadly double this week.

The 19-year-old made his first start for the Pars against Inverness on Tuesday night and made a huge impression with his brace in the 2-2 draw.

The teenager was signed on a season-long loan in August but had to wait until October 20 for his debut as he recovered from a hernia operation.

However, Johnston is confident the youngster is ready to make a significant contribution as the Fifers seek a first win in a month away to Alloa Athletic tomorrow.

He said: “Aidan scored two great goals and he was unlucky not to score more as well.

“It just shows you the threat he’s got, so hopefully he will turn out to be a big player for us.

“You can see the qualities he’s got. He has good energy and he’s a good finisher; he’s got good movement in the box and that’s why we put him into the team in the first place.”

The draw in the Highlands ensured Dunfermline bounced back positively from last Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at home to Dundee United.

It was the third straight loss at East End Park, where the Pars have managed just one victory since the Betfred Cup group stage.

But, with just one loss on the road this season, Johnston has urged the Fifers to kick-start a revival at Alloa tomorrow and ensure they do not become detached from the teams battling for the play-off places above them in the Championship table.

He said: “It’s consistency we need. We need to start putting a run of results together.

“There’s a couple of clubs starting to form a gap between us and the rest of the teams, so we need to try to stay in contact with them.

“That’s why these games coming up are really important.

“Alloa have proved difficult opponents the last couple of times we’ve played them, and you could say that for the majority of teams that have played them.

“But we’ve got to go there and expect to win, and show that belief and desire and get the three points we need.”