ROSYTH chairman Russell Craig has expressed his delight after they appointed Stevie Crawford as their new manager.

Last Friday, the East of Scotland League, First Division outfit made the surprise announcement that the 49-year-old former Pars and Scotland star had accepted an offer to fill the role vacated by Greig Denham's resignation.

Crawford, who grew up in Camdean, won 25 caps for his country, and scored four goals, during an illustrious career that saw him play for Dunfermline over two spells, and turn out for them in two Scottish Cup finals, and clubs such as Hibernian, Aberdeen, Dundee United and Plymouth Argyle.

He also won the League Cup with first club, Raith Rovers, and has gone on to manage Dunfermline and East Fife, and coach with Falkirk, Heart of Midlothian, MK Dons and Dundee United, the latter of whom he left in March.

Crawford will take charge for the first time this weekend, against Oakley United, and Craig told Press Sport: "We met him on Tuesday (of last week). Two-and-a-half hours we were sitting with him. We pitched, and he's so respectful and humble as well. He then pitched to us, which was a bit of a surreal moment.

"Both Dean and I thought 'we've got an amazing product here'. Who else can say they're going to have a new state-of-the-art park (at Pitreavie) in 12 weeks? We've got a squad of 20 boys, who are good, and the future's bright for the club.

"He thought about it, we went back and met him again, had another discussion, and he texted me and said 'let's go for it'.

"We were disappointed at losing Greig, but to have Stevie, ex Hearts, Dundee United, Dunfermline, East Fife - his knowledge, his experience and his expertise will 100 per cent drive the club.

"We're so delighted about it.

"He's got very similar beliefs and ambition to myself and Dean. He talked about the formations and the standards that he expected, and me and Dean (Ogg, vice-chairman) were kicking each other under the table, saying 'that's what we were driving for'.

"It's been a bit of a whirlwind. Everyone's absolutely jumping with excitement."

Craig, who said that work on their long-awaited new ground at Pitreavie has now started, added: "As a club, we're absolutely ecstatic with it.

"It's an exciting time to be involved in the club and it shows our desire and ambition for the club that we've managed to secure someone of that ilk."