Dunfermline manager Stevie Crawford says a League Cup quarter-final is something the Pars can look forward to – once they get league business out the way.
Crawford’s men have made a flying start to the Championship season, currently sitting in top spot and now they are through to the last eight of the League Cup after a 3-1 away win at Arbroath.
The Pars boss says that it’s something the club can get excited about, but only after upcoming Championship matches are completed: “To progress to the quarter finals stage of the tournament is good.
“As I said last week our objective was to get out of the group stages. We knew that it was going to be a difficult tie going up to Arbroath. It is never an easy place to go but I was delighted with the application and the commitment levels of the players.
“To get through to the next round and face St Johnstone now at home is very pleasing. I know that we do not have crowds but I think to get to the latter stages of any competition and then be drawn at home is the one thing that I was sitting with my fingers crossed at the time.
“It is going to be a very difficult game but one that we can very much look forward to. I said of the last sixteen that there wasn’t going to be an easy fixture. Obviously credit to Alloa getting a result against Hearts and then Ross County getting the result as well but that is cup football.
“It was exciting over the weekend knowing that we were in the hat but it is back to the daily routine of preparing for the league.”
One concern for Pars fans this week was rumours that captain, and joint-leading marksman, Euan Murray had turned down a new deal at East End Park. His contract is up in the summer, but Crawford has dismissed such notions.
“No,” was Crawford’s answer when asked if Murray had turned down a new deal. “On that side of things (new contracts), I don’t want to lose focus. I speak to the chairman every other day on the progression of this football club.
“In regards to the contract situation, it’s not the time for that. There can be no distractions. Football evolves and moves on, we’ll do our homework and the right thing for the progression of this football club.
“But we don’t want any distractions.”