Dunfermline caretaker manager Steven Whittaker has explained how veteran midfielder Graham Dorrans has been an important sounding board for himself and Greg Shields since taking over from Peter Grant – with the former Rangers and Scotland star helping out despite being being sidelined through injury.
Whittaker and Shields were in charge last weekend as the Pars lost to Morton at East End Park and will lead the Fifers against Inverness CT this weekend as the search for Grant’s permanent replacement continues.
Steven Whittaker has yet to taste defeat as a Dunfermline player (Photo by Mark Scates/SNS Group via Getty Images)
While Dorrans was uanavailable for the bottom of the table clash with Morton, he still had a key role as Whittaker praised the veteran’s influence.
“I suppose he was taking that [coaching] role,” added Whittaker.
“We were speaking to Graham all through the week. He’s a senior player and someone we wanted to lean on.
“We were able to get his views on the team and things that might be going right or wrong.”
Despite the role he played during the Morton game, Whittaker would much rather have a fully-fit Graham Dorrans available rather than have him in his ear in the dugout.
The veteran could return to the side this weekend and the Pars caretaker insists his experience is “only going to help” the Fifers climb up the table.
“Speaking to Graham last week, there was a balance between throwing him in there when he wasn’t quite ready and him not doing himself justice,” added Whittaker.
“We want a fully-fit Graham Dorrans to choose from.
“But there’s no doubt if he’s in the team and he’s using his experience and organisation from the central area of the park, it’s only going to help us.
“He’s working away and trying to make himself available for the weekend.”
NTOF now offers a YouTube channel featuring exclusive interviews, post-match discussion, in-depth debate, and much more – LIKE and SUBSCRIBE and don’t miss any of our videos.