DUNFERMLINE SKIPPER Scott Thomson has issued a “Play me anywhere, but please play me” plea to manager Stephen Kenny, writes Graeme Dey in La Manga.

Thomson is chomping at the bit after being sidelined for almost the whole of last term with Achilles tendon trouble then missing the closing weeks of the campaign—including the Tennent’s Scottish Cup Final—because of the form being shown by others.

But the long-serving defender, who has his testimonial match with Manchester United coming up early next month, fears he’ll have a fight on his hands.

“This is my 18th pre-season and, after what happened last year, one of the most important I’ve faced,” he said.

“I got back fit towards the end of the season but the boys had started to play a bit better by then and it was hard breaking into the team.

“Hopefully I’ll get my turn now but competition for places is going to be fierce all over the park.

“It’s not just at the back. There’s a lot of people pushing to get in our midfield and there are five guys battling for only two spots up front.”

“I’ve told the gaffer I’ll play anywhere for him. I’m not just a centre-half—I could play right-back, left-back or the sitting midfield role.

“I’ve suggested to him— as I’ve done to every other manager who has been here, without much success it has to be said—I could also play off the front two!

“I feel really good. I’m thoroughly enjoying pre-season and it’s great to be back amongst the boys and enjoying the craic.

“Missing last season was an absolutely horrendous experience.

“I accepted when I went for Achilles tendon surgery just before it got under way that I was going to be out for a wee bit but I never thought I would be sidelined for as long as I was and end up needing a second operation.

“Neil Valentine, the surgeon in Dundee, though, discovered a lot of complications. He said it was one of the worst Achilles problems he had ever seen.

“I thought I had a wee tear but he told me I had about six tears. The thing was I had played with the problem for about three or four years.

“I am probably my own worst enemy, I should have got it sorted straight away.

“When I came back the gaffer said to me that he wanted me involved as soon as he could because we were down at the bottom of the league.

“By the time I was ready to play again, though, big Souleymane Bamba had come back in and done really well, Scott Wilson was in outstanding form, along with Greg Shields, while Scott Muirhead looked a different player when he went to left-back.

“Not being in the squad for the Scottish Cup final was very disappointing but the manager has decisions to make, the boys had done well in defence and it was always going to be hard for me to get in.

“I thought I would make the squad but unfortunately I didn’t.”

Thomson knows he cannot afford to dwell on the past, though. Not when there’s so much at stake for him and the club.

“This is a massive season for Dunfermline,” the skipper said.

“Looking at the size of the team and the players we have got, realistically we have to go back up at the first attempt.

“If that does not happen the squad will break up, players will have to go.

“The manager has done well to hold on to most of the boys, although we did lose a couple of good ones in Dorus De Vries and Gary Mason.

“Their departure, however, opens the door for other players to show they are just as good as the guys who have left.

“There are people here desperate to get in the team and I am one of them. I need to be playing and want to play every week. We will wait and see what happens.”

Dunfermline’s midfield vacancy, meanwhile, could be filled by a familiar face.

Boss Stephen Kenny wants to add an experienced midfield player to the Pars ranks and Hibs’ Stephen Glass is one option under consideration.

However, Glass—who spent much of last season on loan at East End Park—would first have to negotiate a severance deal with his present employers and Dunfermline would face competition for his signature from several clubs, including St Mirren.

“Stephen Glass is a possibility for us but no more than that at the moment,” confirmed chairman John Yorkston yesterday.