Dunfermline got used to winning last season, but Lewis McCann is adamant they can take great heart from a Fife derby draw.
The Pars lost just once on their march to the League One title in May and kicked off the new campaign by taking the bragging rights against local rivals Raith Rovers. The bonus point secured from the competition’s added excitement of a penalty-kicks decider put an extra positive spin on a satisfactory afternoon’s work.
The East End Park men spent only a year away from Scotland’s second-tier but there was a curiosity about James McPake’s men over the standard they will need to meet on their return this term. A frantic derby encounter at Stark’s Park was an indication they can be a match for this year’s opposition.
“You saw it last season when we played Partick and we played Dundee in the cups,” said McCann, who gave Dunfermline the lead before Dylan Easton’s equaliser poor to half-time. “We held our own so we knew we were going the right way.
“We did had a very good season last season so we’ve just taken it on from that. We had a good pre-season and it’s just a confidence booster for us knowing we can compete at this level.
“The season we got relegated I probably would have said that was going to be a good season. So, you never know, but our team’s in a very good place right now.
“We’ve gelled well, the boys who have come in have gelled really easily, so we’re in a very good spot.
“It was a good test to see where we are, and that we can come up the leagues and compete against an established Championship team.”
McCann was a bright spot for Dunfermline, a willing runner and powerful presence in attack, whilst their defence mostly held firm, particularly during a whirlwind opening from Raith that saw them force three corners in as many minutes. In Ewan Otoo, secured on a permanent deal from Celtic this summer, they also have one for the future.
By contrast to the Pars’ settled side, Raith had six debutants and five key players, including skipper Scott Brown, sitting out through injury. It was enough to convince manager Ian Murray there will be better days ahead.
“There’s a lot of work to be done for a lot of us, we’re all in the same boat,” he said of teams at this stage of the season. “But, overall, I was really, really happy with them.
“We’ve had a really good pre-season. We’re undefeated and we want to keep that going.
“We know we’ve got another three weeks to go before the season starts and I’m sure by that point we’ll have more players and we’ll have players back from injury, and we’ll be sharper.”
