The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Dunfermline run rule over striker Coogans
Dunfermline are running the rule over former Airdrie and Huddersfield Town striker Liam Coogans.
The 19-year-old is training with the Pars as he seeks a new club after leaving Huddersfield last month.
The teenager, who had trials with Celtic and Blackburn Rovers after making his first-team breakthrough at Airdrie as a 16-year-old in 2013, featured for the Fifers in an under-20s run-out against Falkirk on Monday.
And the young marksman, who made three substitute’s appearances on loan at Queen of the South earlier in the season, will get another chance to impress against Rangers’ under-20s this afternoon.
Dunfermline manager Allan Johnston said: “Liam is in for us to have a look at. He’s going to play on Friday as well.
“I don’t think there’s any harm in having a look at somebody. Obviously he’s got a bit of talent, so it’s good to have a look and see how well he can do.”
Meanwhile, Johnston has warned his side to beware former Dunfermline players with a point to prove tomorrow.
The Pars host Stranraer bidding to protect their eight-point lead over Peterhead at the summit of League One.
However, Johnston knows that, with captain Steven Bell, winger Andy Stirling, midfielder Ryan Thomson and winger Wullie Gibson having all plied their trade at East End Park in the past, there will be opponents with plenty of motivation to upset their title bid.
“Stranraer are one of the form teams. It’s us, Peterhead and Stranraer. They’re much-improved and have only been beaten once in the last nine games.
“They’re playing with a lot of confidence just now and they’re not losing a lot of goals, so it’s going to be a really tight game. But hopefully we’ve got the quality to break them down.
“There’s a few players (who) have been at Dunfermline, plus I’ve had a couple as well – I had Paul Cairney at Kilmarnock and Wullie Gibson at Queen of the South,” he said.
“I’m sure they’ll have a few boys desperate to make an impression. There are a lot of connections and a lot of boys out there desperate to get a result against us.”