Whittaker desperate to play as often as possible – Crawford

Steven Whittaker has what it takes to play every weekend for Dunfermline, insists manager Stevie Crawford.

Whittaker joined the Pars in the summer in a player-coach role after leaving Hibs, where he had l a tt e r l y become something of a bit-part player.

But, despite now being 36 and keen to plan for life when he does hang up his boots, Crawford is adamant the former Rangers and Scotland defender is desperate to play as much as possible this season.

Whittaker had to sit out the opening league victory over Inverness Caley Thistle because of suspension but had previously started all three Betfred Cup outings for the Fifers.

Crawford admits he faces a selection headache for the trip to face Alloa this weekend following the impressive 3-1 victory over Inverness.

But he has made it clear that there will be no need to rest “Whitts” unless the East End Park men face a backlog of midweek fixtures.

He said: “If it became m idweek - S a t u r d a y, midweek-Saturday I’m duty bound to look after Steven, in terms of recovery and his legs.

“When you get older that is sometimes not kind to you.

“But if it’s Saturday to Saturday, it’s not a case of looking after Steven. Albeit he has come to the club to learn and develop as a coach, but he wants to play week after week.

“That leads right through the squad because if it gets to the stage where we are picking and choosing the games for Steven, other than if we were faced with three games in a week, it doesn’t set the right tone for the rest of the squad.

“Steven can play every week if he is playing well.”

Meanwhile Crawford’s changing team selections have also proved the strength of squad the Pars boss has at his disposal.

He explained: “There is a different edge to us this season. We can change up things because we have players who can change up – we have players who can play in a number of positions and in a different manner.

“We can adapt to certain opposition as well. It is trying to get that balance.”

Ra i th Rovers favourite Grant Anderson has left the club to join Kelty Hearts.

Anderson, 34, lifted the Ramsdens Cup in 2014 in his first stint at Rovers before spells at Queen of the South, Peterhead and Stranraer.

He returned to Stark’s Park last summer and in total played 184 games for the Kirkcaldy club.