Nisbet seeks ‘next stage’ under Crawford guidance

Kevin Nisbet is convinced new boss Stevie Crawford can help take his game to ‘the next stage’ after joining Dunfermline.

The former Partick Thistle striker finished the season with Raith Rovers as the SPFL’s top scorer after netting 30 times in League One.

But, despite having only committed himself to a new deal in November, the 22-yearold opted to invoke a clause in his contract allowing him to leave Rovers if they did not win promotion.

In the end, the prolific marksman has not gone far and, brushing off anger from Raith fans at his decision to sign for their Fife rivals, Nisbet believes Crawford’s experience as a striker with the likes of the Pars, Dundee United, Aberdeen and Scotland can only be good for his game.

He said: “I decided to come to Dunfermline the more I spoke to the gaffer.

“Obviously, he used to be a striker as well, so within five minutes I knew Dunfermline was the club for me.

“I have spoken to a few people who know the gaffer and the way he works and that’s exactly what I want.

“I was told he would be the perfect manager and once I spoke to him I could see that.

“We sat and spoke for a while, about the season and what he wants to achieve.

“I’m still developing and I think he can take me to the next stage.

“I’m a good finisher, I can hold the ball up well and I can run the channels, but I still need to improve.

“I’m not the complete package yet, but hopefully under the gaffer this season I can progress my career.

“I didn’t really think about coming to Raith’s rivals. For me, it was just about playing at a higher level.”