Fordyce ready for Hibs test

"We are doing well at the moment so it will be an exciting game on Saturday.

Callum Fordyce has been impressed with Dunfermline since signing from Livingston last month. Having sized up the squad he is hugely optimistic that he can be part of a team that can lead the Pars out of League One this season. He told this website:-

"We are a Championship squad, look at us against Livingston last Saturday I thought we dominated the game and they are a Championship team. We have a strong squad and we should be going for the title this season to get the club back to where it should be."

Callum has found pre season training enjoyable and he is pleased that the team remains undefeated in the pre season matches.

"That sets our standards high. The gaffer, Sandy Clark and Potts have done a terrific job getting the boys fit for the season and we are just looking forward to it starting. The standard of training is always high and that is how it should be because you train how you play."

Smarting after conceding two goals against Queens Park on Wednesday night, Callum does feel that the back four is beginning to get a useful understanding going:-

"That was the first we have conceded since we started playing together. It was just little errors that you can cut that out of your game. Playing next to big Ben, obviously the two centre backs are the spine of the team and we have done really well communicating and hopefully long may it continue.

"I know Jason (Talbot) from last year obviously and he is a good defender, he will give 100% and he is also good going forward. Ryan on the other side beside me is quality; he is good going forward and defensively. I think we have the right balance and we will do well."

The 23 year old is not renowned for his scoring but did famously score a hat trick of headers in a match against Cowdenbeath in September two years ago. Still to get off the mark for Dunfermline, Callum would love to find the net more often this season:-

"I would like to score a few more goals. Last season I got three and the year before I got five. I have had a few chances but they just haven't gone for me. Hopefully this year I can get a few more goals."

The next test, and final pre season friendly, will be against a club where Callum was once a youth. He was at Hibs at Under 15 level and should have progressed into the next age group had it not been for injury.

"I didn't make the step up but that is football" claimed Callum. "I regrouped and moved on which involved a move back to Livingston."

He progressed into the first team there and didn't look back. Last season in the Championship he faced Hibs four times and was on the losing side four times. He admired the Edinburgh side and knows that Saturday is going to be a hard shift for his new team:-

"I thought Hibs were one of the best footballing sides that we played. Allan Stubbs has them playing in a good way of football and they are a difficult team to beat. They move the ball well, they have good movement with their strikers and a midfield that likes to run beyond. Being a defender it is all about organising and making sure that everybody knows what they are doing with the runners.

"They like to interchange positions and that is always difficult. We need to stay compact and talk. Some of the players Hibs have are Premiership quality and they could play at a higher level. I would say that they will be a difficult test for us."

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