Pars in positive place
Wednesday, 6th Jul 2022Craig Wighton reveals his pleasure at being back at East End Park.
After spending the closing four months of last season on loan to Arbroath, Pars striker Craig Wighton is pleased to be back at East End Park and, as a consequence of change of management, to be re-united with James McPake who was a team mate while they were at Dundee together for three and a half seasons. Craig explained how they had spent time together in rehab and how James had tried to sign him and take him back to Dens Park:-
“We played together and we were both injured for pretty much a year together. He was out longer so we became quite close then and have always kept in touch. Even when I was at Hearts I nearly went to Dundee a couple of times. I know him well and I am looking forward to working with him this year.”
The 24 year old is delighted to be working for a manager who clearly rates him and claimed that makes a massive difference:-
“I have played the best football of my career when I have had a manager who believed in me and gave me a freedom to go and do what I want to do. I am looking forward to it, I know what he expects in terms of working for the team and the hard work but when we have the ball it is a licence for me, Kevin O’Hara or Lewis McCann to go and express ourselves and do what you want.
“We are all looking forward to the real games starting on Saturday and we hope to get off to a great start.”
In the final pre season friendly against Kilmarnock on Tuesday night Craig had to drop back into midfield after Chris Hamilton had to fill the void in central defence due to Rhys Breen having to retire early in the second half. Craig confirmed that he had played there a couple of times when he was younger:-
“I don’t mind playing there at all, I am obviously happy to be back here and be playing, wherever that is I don’t mind. It was a good workout, tough at times. It was against a very good side so it was a good test for us.
“We had a few chances ourselves and there wasn’t too much in it. They had a good spell in the first half but second half I thought that we were a lot better. We dealt with their shape better and I thought that it was a good performance overall.
“Kilmarnock are a good side and I’m sure that they will have a good season in the top league this year. I think looking at the two teams that there was a lot between them. It is definitely positive and a good end to a good pre season.”
Craig feels that the manager knows what he wants from his players with an emphasis on pre season on hard work:-
“It is still early days and about getting minutes into the legs and the fitness side of it. I’m sure that we will do a lot more tactical stuff over the next couple of weeks. He wants the front three to press and win the ball high up, then go for goal as quick as we can. We all have a good understanding so hopefully we can take that into the proper games. If we do what he wants us to do then there is no reason why we can’t have a good season.
“What happened last season was disappointing for everyone involved. I was a part of that as well so it is just about putting that behind us. We can’t change that now and I think since the manager has come in it has been really positive around the place and it is a much better environment to be in.”
An added bonus for Craig is the support he is getting on the pitch with extra players up beside him:-
“I’m not sure what the manager will do but in the pre season games it has been me, McCann and Kev. McCann can occupy the centre halves, he is big, strong and powerful which means me and Kev can go and get on the ball and hopefully create chances.
“The three of us have got a good mix but it is up to us to do the other side that I’m working hard for the team and hopefully keep ourselves in the team.”
Craig Wighton also spoke to Jordan Burt for PARStv
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