Striker urged to continue learning at Pars

DUNFERMLINE: Johnston hopes to convince the prolific El Bakhtaoui to stay

Dunfermline manager Allan Johnston has urged prolific striker Faissal El Bakhtaoui to remain at East End Park for another season before pursuing a bigger move.

The French-Moroccan, who is out of contract this summer, netted his 30th goal of the season for the League One champions in last weekend’s victory at Albion Rovers and has been linked with a move away from the Fife club.

Motherwell and Hibs have already been credited with an interest in the 23-year-old, who mostly played the indoor game futsal back in France before being signed by then manager Jim Jefferies in 2012.

Johnston and the player posed for pictures side by side yesterday as they picked up the Ladbrokes League One manager and player of the month awards for March and the Pars boss is hoping to convince El Bakhtaoui to stay for their return to the Championship.

Johnston said: “We’re trying to get Faiss sorted, he’s an unbelievable talent but I still think another year with us would do him the world of good before he gets his big move.

“He’s still young and still learning. Hopefully he stays here, where he is going to play week in, week out and improve as a player because his big move will come eventually.

“It’s just his overall play that he could improve on but you can see he’s a natural finisher, he’s got a great touch and got pace but no one is the finished article are they?

“It’s incredible where he’s come from. I think playing week in, week out and the way we play has suited him and he’s reaped the rewards.”