Paul Burns has revealed that a 6-1 thrashing at the hands of Dunfermline in April played a big part in his decision to join the Pars.
The former Queen of the South player will become manager Jim McIntyre’s first new signing of the summer today as he completes the formalities on a two-year contract at East End Park.
And the wide midfielder, who spent nine years at Palmerston, admitted he could not turn down the chance of SPL football next season, especially as he will be playing in a side dedicated to attack.
“It is a great opportunity for me and I am delighted to be here,” he said. “I am stepping up a level, which is something I have always wanted to do.
“As a player you want to be performing at the highest level and in Scotland that is obviously the SPL. So it is great to have that carrot in front of me.
“When I knew Dunfermline were interested in me, the decision was really easy. There was a wee bit of interest from St Mirren but I never got down to speaking with them or anything.
“When Dunfermline noted their interest with my agent I met with the gaffer and everything went well from there. The Pars’ style of play was also a big part of my decision.
“I think Queen of the South played against them five times last season. They beat us 6-1 at East End Park in April and obviously being on the other side, it was not a pleasant experience.
“But it gave me a telling insight into the way they like to play.
“Speaking to the gaffer, he sold me on the team, saying they like to attack and will continue to do so next season in the SPL. It is something I am looking forward to being part of.” Burns admitted that his time at Queen of the South ended on a sour note when the cash-strapped club stalled on offering him a new deal and when they finally did so it was on reduced terms.
Now he is just grateful for the security that his two-year contract at Dunfermline provides for him and his young family.
“There was a lot going on at Queens but I felt myself that it was probably time to get away from the club as I thought I was becoming a wee bit stale and I wanted to further my career,” he added.
“I was the longest-serving player and had been there for nine years, so it would have been nice if the board had spoken to us a wee bit earlier.
“The way finances are at the moment in Scottish football in general it is maybe easy to understand why they could not offer anything, but it still would have been nice to have been told by the chairman or whoever was dealing with things.
“If I had stayed another season I would have been entitled to a testimonial year but once Dunfermline noted their interest, that never came into consideration.”
McIntyre revealed why he had signed Burns and admitted that he is in talks with other players to bolster his squad for life in the SPL next season.
The Pars have been linked with a host of names, including Brechin striker Rory McAllister, Arbroath’s Gavin Swankie and St Mirren goalkeeper Paul Gallacher.
However, McIntyre refused to comment on the speculation, insisting that is not the way he does business.
“Paul Burns is a player with real pace and bags of energy,” he said. “He is a good footballer and has always done well when he’s played against Dunfermline for Queen of the South.
“So he was a player who was on our radar.
“It is his big chance to step up a level and he is hungry to play in the Premier League. We will give him a platform to show he can go and play there.
“We will be looking to add other signings you only need to look at our current squad size to realise that.
“But there is nothing to speak about at the moment. We are chatting to a few players and when there is something to be announced, I will talk about it then.”
Meanwhile McIntyre said that former Dunfermline striker Graham Bayne, who signed for Dundee on Monday, leaves the club with everyone’s best regards.
“Graham is away to Dundee and we wish him well,” the manager said. “He is a fantastic professional who has been really unfortunate in the last year with injury.
“We offered him pre-season facilities to prove his fitness but Dundee have made him a concrete offer.
“He is going to work for a good manager in Barry Smith and I am sure he will do well there.”