RYAN SCULLY has admitted that sealing a return to a club that holds fond memories for him was the “perfect scenario”.

The 26-year-old, who previously enjoyed two loan spells at East End Park, became head coach Stevie Crawford’s first signing last Thursday just 24 hours after leaving Morton.

After penning a deal until the end of the season – with the option of a year’s extension – Scully was pitched straight into the team for Saturday’s game against the team he had just left.

His quick-fire return to Cappielow ended with a clean sheet and the former Partick Thistle keeper, who spent the 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 campaigns with the Pars, says he’s thrilled with the move.

“It’s brilliant to be back and it happened quite quick,” he told Press Sport.

“There are still a few old faces from when I was here before, although there have been changes in terms of the squad, but it’s great.

“It got to the stage where I was sitting on the bench but, this year, I feel that I have to be playing games. It started well at Morton but the new manager came in and had different ideas.

“I left it to my agent. I spoke to the manager at Morton just after Christmas to see if something could happen and if there were any clubs but Dunfermline was the first solid interest.

“It’s the perfect scenario and was a no-brainer. It’s a club that I’ve been at before, have such good memories of and was playing regularly.

“It makes it so much easier, as well as having a good relationship with the fans.”

No sooner had Scully left Greenock, he was back there helping his new team gain the first point of Crawford’s reign, and he continued: “You couldn’t write it.

“It probably worked out well because I only had a couple of days to train, so I couldn’t fixate on Morton, but it was good to get a clean sheet.

“Especially for a goalkeeper, it helps you bed in with the team and the fans, and is a platform for us to build on.

“I know we’re lacking some goals just now but we’ve got a good squad and there’s a lot of talent here. I think the gaffer’s mentioned that the only thing we can do is keep working in training.

“The boys were saying that Saturday was one of the best defensive performances of the season, and it always gives you a great platform if you can be solid at the back.”

If selected, Scully will make his first appearance at East End in almost four years, with his last coming complete with a shut-out in a 1-0 win over Stranraer in April 2015.

In what was a disappointing season for Athletic – they finished seventh in League One – the keeper’s impressive form between the sticks saw him claim a number of the Player of the Year accolades.

However, after returning to Partick – then in the Premiership – he struggled for regular game time, and is determined to find it once more with the Pars.

“East End holds a lot of good memories for me so it will be good to get that feeling again, and play in front of the fans,” Scully continued.

“It was a big jump going from League One to the Premiership so I didn’t expect too much in the first season but I wanted to kick on in the second.

“I’m at the stage now where I’m 26 which, although is quite young for a goalkeeper, means I want to be playing games. It’s vital for me.

“I got that opportunity here the last time so I hope that I can keep my place in the team. I just have to keep my head down, work hard and try to establish myself as the number one.

“You feel fondest for the club that gives you first team football. It is a great club, with great people, so it was a great chance to come back.”

Crawford added: “He’s hungry, he wanted to come to the club to do well and I liked what he had to say when I spoke to him. He’s got off to a great start under difficult circumstances, going back to his old club right away, and coped well with anything that was thrown at him.”