JAMES McPAKE has hailed Graham Dorrans as a “fantastic professional” after the midfielder’s time at Dunfermline came to an end.

Last Friday, the club announced that the 35-year-old, who joined last summer having left Australian club Western Sydney, had left ahead of the close of the transfer window.

The midfielder, capped 12 times for Scotland, had his contract terminated by mutual consent, having made 23 appearances, scoring one goal.

Injury meant that he did not feature under McPake, who took charge following Athletic’s relegation last season, after which Dorrans, who was signed by former manager Peter Grant, who he had worked with at West Bromwich Albion, said he would discuss his future with the club.

“I won’t go into the ins and outs,” McPake told Press Sport.

“What I will say is Graham’s a fantastic professional. I’ve worked with him at two clubs now, and he’s great to have about.

“He’s a fantastic footballer that I’ve known for a while. Anybody would like a fit, healthy Graham Dorrans in your team but he’s gone and we wish him all the best for the future.

“He was never any hassle to anybody at the football club and we wish him all the best.”

News of Dorrans’ departure came after a transfer deadline day at KDM Group East End Park that saw no few fresh faces arrive.

Since taking charge, McPake has brought in Kyle Benedictus, Chris Hamilton and goalkeeper Max Little, as well as loan players Chris Mochrie and Sam Fisher, who made his debut from the bench in last Saturday’s win at Queen of the South.

The Pars boss has spoken previously of the need to strengthen his squad and had hoped that things were “starting to move” before last week’s deadline but has said consistently that he wants “quality” additions.

Clubs outwith the top flight can still sign players from a higher level on loan throughout September, as well as players who are free agents.

Shortly after announcing Dorrans’ departure, chairman and CEO David Cook, who said he shared supporters’ frustration, explained: “Both the management team and I were at KDM Group East End Park until late in the night looking to conclude deals on identified targets.

“As we have said throughout, we are keen to strengthen the squad but we want to sign players that enhance a good group of players rather than just sign players to pad out the squad.

“We made enquiries and loan offers for several players in England at established Premier League and Championship clubs. The reality of playing in SPFL League One meant that these offers were rejected by the parent clubs who were hoping to place these players at clubs playing at a higher level.

“We made offers for two players based in Scotland. One was rejected by a club whilst the other was accepted only for the player to decide to stay with his parent club. In addition, we made a number of enquiries for players in the SPFL Premiership.

“As the Scottish transfer window remains open for loan moves until September 30, many of the clubs advised that both they and the players preferred to wait till after the transfer windows closed in England and the SPFL Premiership before they would consider domestic loans in either the Championship or League One.

“We continue to look to strengthen the squad and there is budget available. We remain committed to adding further quality to the group and will continue to explore all options available to us.”

McPake added: “We’re still working very hard in trying to do that. I would echo everything David said.

“We’ve been in this game long enough and we know you get injuries and whatever. The big and the important thing, and I think David said it, is we want to add quality to the squad.

“We could’ve signed four, five, six people, and I’m not saying there’s not good players out there, but there’s a certain quality we’re trying to add, and we’ll continue to do that and we’ll see where it takes us.

“We’ve still got the full month of September to do that but it’s got to be the right player. To be fair, the club have been great with that, and we’ll continue to keep looking, and keep trying to find what will add and what will help us.”