Dunfermline goalkeeper Chris Smith has shed almost two stone to give himself the best chance of keeping Paul Gallacher’s hands off the Pars’ number one jersey.
Smith was sent into the close season by manager Jim McIntyre with a fitness programme, which last season’s first division ever-present has followed to the letter.
It has meant dawn runs in the Florida heat, but Smith knows it stands him in good stead for the battle with Gallacher, who signed up for a second spell at East End Park this month.
Smith said, “I was delighted to get a new one-year contract, which has helped me enjoy pre-season more.
“I’d much rather be in my position than some of the unfortunate boys who are looking for clubs.”
He added, “It didn’t feel as if I had any time off over the summer I was doing a lot of double sessions.
“The manager asked me to do it and I’d like to think he can see a difference. It had to be done.”
Smith said, “I went on holiday to Florida but there was a gym there.
“I was making good use of it and getting up early in the morning to go for a run. It was roasting hot.”‘Clean slate’He added, “I’ve hit the manager’s targets and now I want to keep on top of it, lose even more weight and get even more fit through pre-season.
“In the SPL you need to be at the peak of your fitness and form and we need to give ourselves the best chance.
“Gall’s one of the fittest boys at the club and hopefully I’ve put myself in a good position to challenge him.”
McIntyre has gone on record to state that Smith and Gallacher have an equal chance of starting the season as his first pick, and that was just what the 25-year-old wanted to hear.
He said, “If it’s a clean slate then I’ll look forward to the challenge.
“We worked together at St Mirren but it was a bit unbalanced because I was just coming back from injury and Gall was playing.
“So I didn’t really get an opportunity to have a go.”
He added, “Gall’s a good lad and a good trainer.
“It’s great for me to have somebody like that to work with.
“We’ll get pre-season over with before we start properly competing for the jersey.”