PAUL ALLAN is hopeful that his match-winning cameo on Saturday will help push him further into his manager's thoughts as he targets more minutes on the pitch.
The Dunfermline midfielder was brought on from the bench shortly after half-time during Saturday's Championship opener with Airdrieonians, and within 10 minutes netted what proved to be the decisive strike with his first goal for the club.
The 23-year-old curled home a superb winner midway through the second half to ensure that Athletic's return to the second tier after one season away began with three points, and it was a moment to cherish for the Fife Elite Football Academy graduate.
After starting the team's first six competitive games last season, Allan spent seven months on the sidelines after suffering a strss fracture in his foot, an injury that required surgery.
Following his return in March, he played a further six as the Pars clinched the League One title, and has featured in each of their Viaplay Cup group stage fixtures this term, as well as at the weekend.
Only one of those so far this season, however, has seen him start, with Allan hoping that his contribution against the Diamonds will put him in contention for this Saturday's trip to Dundee United.
"Hopefully. That’s all you can do," he said when asked if he hoped to have impressed James McPake.
"You try and work hard every day in training to impress. When you come on and make an impact like that, I think it can only help your progress for the season. Hopefully it does.
"It was a position a slightly higher than I normally play. With Andy Tod on a booking, the gaffer was a wee bit wary of maybe a second yellow, so he took him off slightly earlier than he might have. When I came on he just said 'try and get involved with (Lewis) McCann and Craig (Wighton) up front, help the team out as much as you can'. I thought that I did that when I came on.
"I couldn’t ask for much more. Obviously I’m happy to come on and contribute for the team.
"It was a big start to the season for us. It was a hard game, we had to dig it out in the end, but I am delighted to get my first goal and three points more importantly.
"In any season the start is always massive. To get our first game at home, and get three points on the board with United away next week and Raith after that, is important. Every game is going to be tough so to start with three points is massive for us.
"Last season was excellent for us, we only got beat once in the full league season. Today was about just keeping that momentum going. I’m glad that we did it and hopefully we can kick on next week."
When asked if netting the winner made last season's recovery from injury worthwhile, Allan continued: "Last season was obviously a massive success for the club but, from a personal side, I was out injured a lot more than I would have liked. I’m buzzing to be back involved, happy to get on the pitch and do my thing.
"It's nice to score a goal but, if it meant that we only got a point, or we ended up losing the match, it's not as much of a thrill.
"The boys were brilliant when we went down to ten men. Then I thought that we dug in well and we thankfully came away with the three points."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here