Ross County midfielder Lewis Spence aims to turn the East End Park crowd against his former club Dunfermline in Stevie Crawford’s first home game in charge of the Pars on Saturday.
Kirkcaldy-born Spence began his senior career with Dunfermline, following spells with Hearts and Rangers as a youth player. Spence made 45 appearances for the Fifers, although latterly spent time on loan with Brechin City before leaving to join Dundee in 2017.
Spence is well aware of the demands of the Pars supporters and the 22-year-old is aiming to cause further frustration this weekend, with Dunfermline sitting seventh in the Championship having recently appointed Crawford to replace the sacked Allan Johnston.
Spence said: “I have great memories at Dunfermline. I played there under Jim Jefferies, with John Potter and Neil McCann also there. It went a bit sour when Allan Johnston came in, but that’s football.
“It’s a big club and they demand success. It’s going to be a tough game, I know what it’s like, but from my experience of being there we probably need to turn the crowd against them. They do get on their back a bit.
“They are a demanding club, and that can be a disadvantage to them, so hopefully we can get an early goal in the game to settle us down.
“Stevie is a great guy. He’s Mr Dunfermline, if you want to call him that. He obviously played there and is now back.
“I think he will do well. He’s just in the door so he will be wanting to get his own players, tactics and system in there.
“He will be getting them riled up because they have not won yet under him. This is his first home game so it’s a big game for the club.
“We are going there to get three points again.”
Spence has started all three games since joining the Staggies earlier this month following his release by Dundee, and was this week joined by former Dark Blues team-mate Andy Boyle.
With the Irish defender in contention to make his debut against Dunfermline this weekend, Spence hopes Boyle can play his part in a successful end to the campaign with the top-of-the-table Dingwall outfit.
Spence added: “Andy is a great guy who I think will fit in really well with the squad.
“He’s a really good player, who has played at a high level down at Preston. Coming here should be no problem for him at all.
“He’s a good egg so hopefully he does well and he can hit the ground running.
“I know a few of the lads here but being with Andy for six months will help to make him feel welcome here. He’s obviously the same as me, he has been in a relegation battle and is now coming to a promotion push so I think he will enjoy it.
“We have come from Dundee, who have been in a relegation battle and pressure every week, to being top of the league, the semi final of one cup and the last 16 of another.”