Dunfermline’s Alex Keddie is hoping opportunity knocks against former club Ross County after what has been the most frustrating time of his career.
Centre-half Keddie left the Staggies for the Pars in the summer, but after being suspended for the first two league games, has struggled to force his way back into the heart of the Dunfermline defence.
The player has had to appraise the last five games from the bench without experiencing a minute of action.
However, with Austin McCann definitely out of Saturday’s match and Neil McGregor a severe doubt, Keddie is hoping his big chance has finally arrived and he can help the Pars keep their place at the top of the first division.
He said, “It has been incredibly frustrating as I have never been at a club where I have not played
“I was suspended for the first couple of games of the season and the boys have done well to keep their places, but it is a long campaign, and hopefully I will get my opportunity and when I do, I will take it.”
He said, “I have spoken to the manager a couple of times and he has explained to me why I have been left out.
“I have not been in to see him, demanding that I play or anything that would just be crazy.
“But he has to see it from my point of view as well I just want to play and it is a bit of a catch-22.””I just want to play and win”Now, though, Keddie is hoping there is a way out of that catch-22 against Ross County, although he insists there will be no old pals’ act if he is selected.
“I just have to be ready,” he said. “I prepare every Friday and Saturday as if I was going to play, and this weekend will be no different.
“Hopefully, if I do play, I can take my opportunity and do well.
“Football is a funny game sometimes, but I do not care if my big chance happens to be against Ross County or anybody, I just want to play and win that’s the number one target.”
He added, “I keep in touch with a lot of the lads there and speak to them on a daily basis. We have been through a lot together and we are still friends.
“There has been a bit of banter and stick flying back and forth in the build-up to the game, but it is all good-natured and at the end of the day, I am a Dunfermline player with no loyalty to Ross County at all.”
Keddie said, “They have not had the best start to the season, but they have a few new players who are still settling in.
“It is hard after what happened last season when they did well in the league and reached the Scottish Cup final. People now have much higher expectations of them but it does not always work out that way.”
Dunfermline will also be without the injured Alex Burke.