The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
McKay helps ease Pars’ defensive difficulties
DUNFERMLINE: St Johnstone defender signed on loan ahead of Ross County clash
Dunfermline snapped up St Johnstone defender Brad McKay on loan to alleviate their defensive crisis ahead of today’s Scottish Cup clash against Ross County.
The former Hearts stopper has signed for the League One leaders until the end of the season after finding his first-team opportunities limited at McDiarmid Park this term.
McKay is eligible to make his Pars debut in the Scottish Cup fourth-round fixture against County at East End Park.
His arrival bolsters a Dunfermline defence which has been decimated by injury in recent weeks, with Marc McAusland the latest centre-half to be ruled out with ankle ligament damage.
Lewis Martin, Ryan Williamson and club captain Callum Fordyce are also absent.
McKay has turned out four times for the Perth outfit this season following his summer arrival from Tynecastle, scoring one goal in St Johnstone’s Europa League defeat against Alashkert.
The 22-year-old was previously at Hearts for five years, making 47 appearances, via loan spells with Penicuik Athletic and Stenhousemuir.
Meanwhile, Dunfermline star Joe Cardle is determined to prove a point to former boss Jim McIntyre after being frozen out at Ross County.
The duo enjoyed a profitable partnership when McIntyre was Pars boss, claiming the First Division title in the 2010/11 campaign in what Cardle describes as the best season of his career.
So, when his former gaffer took the reins at County in November 2014 the gifted winger – on the books of the Highlanders by that point – expected a chance to shine.
Instead, he made five just starts in seven months under McIntyre before departing the club in the summer and returning to East End Park.
And while Cardle is loathe to lambast McIntyre, whose rebuilding efforts evidently proved fruitful as he guided the club to Premiership safety, it is clear there was a breakdown in the pair’s relationship in the Highlands.
After a miserable end to his County career, Cardle returned to East End Park – dropping down two divisions in search of regular football and seeking to recapture his love for the game.
He has done just that, scoring 11 goals, proving a constant menace on the flank and, frankly, often looking too good for Scotland’s third tier.
He continued: “I know I have had to come down the leagues, but I am enjoying my football so much more, playing regularly, scoring goals and winning games. It makes a big difference.”
Having opened up a nine-point gap at the summit of League One, Cardle insists the Pars squad are determined to prove again that they can cut the mustard at a higher level, having already defeat Premiership Dundee in the League Cup.
He added: “It will be a tough game against a good side, but we have played against Premiership teams already this season and done very well against them.
“We have beaten a good Dundee side and when we have had those opportunities to play higher ranked teams, we have done well. I think the boys thrive on that.
“We wanted a top-flight team and I feel there is a determination to prove ourselves against players at that level.”