Owen Coyle leaves Dunfermline

Owen Coyle has joined Airdrie this afternoon. The transfer deadline is 12.30pm tomorrow 31st March and Ian McCall has secured Owen`s services in his push to keep Airdrie not just in the First Division but in existence

The Airdrie revival will be counting on Owen Coyle to re-open the goal scoring account. He left after scoring 50 goals from 123 league appearances between February 1990 and June 1993. His time at Airdrie included a Cup Final against Rangers. Airdrie were snatched from the jaws of dissolution last week when Rosyth hotelier Jim Innes stepped in to save them with West Fife businessmen Brian and Jim Todd.

A recent loan spell at Ross County thrust Coylie into the limelight when the Highlanders met Rangers in the Tennents Scottish Cup in February. Owen joined Dunfermline in March 1999 from Motherwell but has made only three starts and five appearances as substitute this season.

Owen Coyle`s last first team appearance was against Motherwell on 11th November 2000 and his last Youth / U21 appearance was against Celtic on Monday 5th March. His contract at Dunfermline was until December 2001.

Despite playing at international level for Eire the player rates his best experience as a 4-3 play off win for Bolton at Wembley when his side came back from 2-0 down.

It is understood that Owen has joined Airdrie with some responsibility for coaching until the end of this season.

Owen is the kind of professional who can pull individual efforts into a team performance. He shouts and encourages on the park and is a great guy to have around any club. His bright and cheerful presence will be missed at East End Park and everyone associated with Dunfermline wishes him well with his new club.