Keeper Signed

Ryan Scully joins Dunfermline on six month loan from Partick Thistle.

Ryan Scully joins Dunfermline on a six month loan from Partick Thistle. The goalkeeper has been at Firhill from the age of 15. He did two years as a trainee before securing a professional contract so this is his sixth year with the Jags. He explained how he came to Dunfermline:-

"When I returned from my holidays and went in to sign my contract I heard that Dunfermline were interested in getting in a goalkeeper. I did my pre season and then the gaffer said that there was a strong possibility that could happen so I was absolutely delighted when it did.

"Dunfermline is a big club and there is a good chance to play football in a side that will be challenging to get right back up to the First Division. It is ideal."

Ryan played against Dunfermline in November last season when he came on as a sub for the injured Scott Fox at Firhill with 20 minutes remaining.

Jim Jefferies is delighted with his acquisition and he commented:-

"We got tipped off by Paul Gallacher who is at Partick Thistle in a coaching capacity as well as playing to take the boy Ryan Scully. That will be a six month loan deal with an option to extend it since we cannot sign players until after January.

"He will give Michal Hrivnak and Ryan Goodfellow a bit of competition and will play at least a half against Falkirk on Saturday."

Ryan rates the Pars chances in the Second Division:-

"Obviously everybody is going to have their focus on  Rangers but you saw last season how they struggled at times. If we can have our team ready for the league then there is no reason why we cannot be up there challenging. There is always the play offs as a another route to promotion, I would expect us to really challenge."

Having arrived for his first day training at Pitreavie, Ryan felt it had been good.

"There was a good first training session, they are a good bunch of lads and a good set up here as well. It is good that everything is here for you to train."

Craig Hinchcliff has had a big influence on Ryan's development as his first goalkeeping coach although training with Jonny Tuffey and Scott Fox has made a positive impact as well.

The new boy was not entirely a stranger in the camp since Craig Dargo had been at Thistle with him and provided the transport for him to get to training on Thursday. Scully becomes the sixth Ryan on the books which could create identity problems especially since two of them are goalkeepers.

After ten appearances for Partick and six when out on loan at the end of last season, the 20 year old does not want to be warming the subs bench but wants to be playing games:-

"At this stage in my career getting one or two games and sitting on the bench in the SPL is not what I want to be doing. With experience gained here I could hopefully push for the number one spot at Thistle if I get another contract. "