East Fife beat off SPL clubs to land striker Crawford

Published on Tuesday 22 July 2008 21:51

PROMOTED East Fife have pulled off a massive signing coup by beating Inverness to the signature of former Scotland international Stevie Crawford.

The 34-year-old held talks with two Premier League clubs after being released by Dunfermline Athletic and, according to agent Bill McMurdo, also turned down a return to the English Championship, where he had previously played with Millwall and Plymouth Argyle.

Dave Baikie, the East Fife manager who has also convinced former Livingston and St Johnstone full-back Goran Stanic to go part-time with the Methil club this summer, says the capture of Crawford could prove significant for the Second Division side.

He said: "I'm delighted to sign someone of Stevie Crawford's quality and standing in the game. To get him to come to East Fife is a great coup for us.

"He wanted to stay close to his home for his family and he also wants to be part of a successful club, and hopefully we can give him both."

"Somewhere down the line he wants to get into coaching but at the moment he's here as a player first and foremost."