AARON COMRIE is confident that good times lie ahead individually and collectively after he put pen to paper on a new Pars contract.

The 23-year-old, who is in his second season at East End after arriving from St Johnstone in May 2019, put speculation over his future to an end by signing a fresh two-year deal on Tuesday.

With his existing terms due to expire this summer, Comrie was linked to interest from Premiership clubs last week but he said he had “always made it clear” that he wanted to remain a Pars player.

Comrie established himself quickly as head coach Stevie Crawford’s first choice at right back, playing in all but one of Dunfermline’s matches in the curtailed 2019/20 campaign, and continues to be a key member of the team.

Although injury has seen him miss five games so far this term, Comrie described himself as feeling “over the moon” to have got the deal done, and explained: “I’ve loved my time here so far and, to get a bit of security in these current times is brilliant for me.

“I’m looking forward to the next two years. I only had six months left and I’ve had discussions with the manager, and I’ve always made it clear that I’d like to extend my stay at Dunfermline.

“He’s spoken about me in a positive way, and spoke about the club in a positive way, so it was a no-brainer.

“It’s been frustrating this year with my ankle – it’s been a bit stop-start – but last year was great for me, playing games, and I’m at a stage just now where I’m playing a wee bit of catch-up in terms of game time. I’ve been starved of minutes in the past couple of years so it’s just about trying to play as many games as possible for me and I feel like I can do that here at Dunfermline and improve along the way.

“Obviously, joining a new club, there’s always a wee bit of uncertainty, but I’ve had a good feeling since day one since I’ve walked into the club. I’d say it’s gone well, personally anyway, but last season, as a squad, we maybe underachieved a little bit.

“So far this year we’ve got a good group of boys and I’m thoroughly enjoying being part of a squad that’s doing alright.”

When asked about possible top-flight interest, and whether he could get there with Dunfermline, Comrie continued: “That’s the aim. I think everyone at the club wants promotion.

“Dunfermline’s been in the Championship a long time and if we can stay together as a group, hold on to good players and just try and keep progressing the club, then I think we’ve got a good chance.

“I had a conversation with the manager and I made it pretty clear that I’ve always wanted to stay at Dunfermline, so that was it really.”

Comrie is the second Pars player to sign a new deal in as many weeks, following on from Ryan Dow agreeing a new 12-month contract just before Christmas, and a delighted Crawford commented: “We’re delighted to get Aaron for a further two years.

“He’s a player that has come in and improved in his time with us. I think he would be around about the 40-odd games (played) mark I think, and the important thing for me was that Aaron was keen to sign, and he believes he can get better.

“There’s a belief in the coaching staff that Aaron can get better but he actually admitted there’s parts of his game that he needs to improve on, which is pleasing. That makes it a relationship that can be exciting moving forward.

“It’s great that a few weeks ago Ryan put pen to paper and Aaron’s followed suit; they’re players we feel will help the team. You want to play with good players and you want to be part of a squad that’s got good players, and Aaron and Ryan Dow definitely come into that mould.”