Published: Thursday, 2nd July, 2009 9:45am

Pars midfielder pays his way out of limbo

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STEVEN McDougall insisted that forking out for his own transfer fee to join the Pars was a 'small price to pay' for the good of his career.

The 23-year-old took the drastic step of buying his way out of Airdrie United after a compensation row threatened to scupper the move.

And although McDougall wouldn"t say how much he paid from his own pocket, it"s had the desired effect with the midfielder penning a two-year deal at East End Park.

He explained, 'There was a problem about where the money was going to come from.

'Dunfermline believed, and so did I, that I could leave for nothing as I was turning 23 but it seemed that would kick in next season and compensation might be involved.

'It had been left up to the clubs and my agent to sort out but he said it would move things on if I paid.

'It"s a small price to pay and I look on it as an investment in my own career.'

He continued, 'It was a long wait. It had been up in the air for so long but I"m just glad to get it sorted, even if it was last minute.

'It"s a big club and it"s a chance to go further so, paying your own transfer fee, hopefully it works out for me.'

McDougall"s capture brings to an end a long saga that started in February when Pars were reported to the SFA for trying to tie up the player – and his team-mate Joe Cardle – on a pre-contract deal.

Airdrie were fuming that Pars didn"t go through the proper channels and the club was censured last month by the governing body.

They also claimed they were due compensation for the player while Pars chairman John Yorkston said they"d been led to believe that wasn"t the case.

Stuck in limbo while the row continued, McDougall said, 'There were a few times I thought it wasn"t going to happen. I had my medical last Wednesday and until then I didn"t know what was going on.

'I"d had a phonecall from the manager at Airdrie to tell me to start back for pre-season training so it was pretty close.

'If it"s the only way for me to come, so be it. It wasn"t really a problem as it"s a good career move and I"m delighted to be here.

'I"m happy to pay the fee if it furthers my career and I wanted to join Dunfermline right from the start.'

McDougall said his best position is in right midfield or on the wing, although he added he can play on either flank and even finished last season up front.

But he was often stuck on the bench as he ran out the last few months at a club he"d decided to leave.

'I had a bit of abuse from the Airdrie fans when they found out but that"s to be expected in football,' he shrugged.

'The manager was fine with me although I found myself out of the team a lot.

'He said he thought he"d get more out of the boys that were going to be there next season but I didn"t agree, as when you go on the pitch you give your all.'

Looking to the future, McDougall liked the look of his new team-mates and said, 'It"s a really strong squad and hopefully we"ll get up this season.

'The fans will expect it, and rightly so as a club like Dunfermline should be in the SPL.'

Pars boss Jim McIntyre said, 'He"s a player we liked last season and he did well against us.

'He"s another option in the wide area and it shows the boy"s commitment to come here that he paid Airdrie the fee out of his own pocket.

'It was nothing to do with us and Steven deserves great credit for that.'