DELIGHTED Dave Mackay has said that Chris Kane was a player that Athletic were "desperate" to bring back to the club.

And the Pars assistant manager is confident that his goalscoring ability and know-how can help them enjoy success next season.

Yesterday (Wednesday), it was announced that Kane, 29, had ended a near-15-year spell with St Johnstone to sign a two-year contract at KDM Group East End Park.

READ MORE: Pars agree deal for striker's return

A key part of the Perth club's Scottish Cup and League Cup double-winning squad of 2021, Kane spent the latter part of the season on loan with Dunfermline, scoring five goals in 10 appearances.

Dunfermline Press: Chris Kane wheels away in triumph after scoring his first goal for Dunfermline.

Mackay, a former team-mate during his own playing days at McDiarmid Park, commented: "I think we saw in the short spell that he was here that he can be a huge asset at this level.

"Coming here and playing at this level, he can show a different side to his game and he can add goals.

"He had a record of probably one in two in the spell that was he was here, so if he can replicate that over a season, then we'll be in a good position."

Dunfermline Press:

As well as his goals, Kane's ability to hold the ball up, link play and allow his team-mates to get up the pitch proved invaluable in helping James McPake's side move away from relegation trouble and consolidate their Championship status.

READ MORE: LOOK BACK: Athletic's 2004 Scottish Cup final in pictures 20 years on

"That's the stuff you know he can bring, and he has brought his whole career, is his hold-up play, and just being an overall nuisance for defenders to play against," Mackay continued.

READ MORE: Out-of-contract Pars stars' futures revealed

"We had it plenty of times when we were at Dundee playing against him! 

"I have played with Kano, and seen him since he was a kid, so I knew what he was like, but, when he's playing against your team, he's one of those ones that you don't like playing against.

"Especially as a defender, you wouldn't fancy playing against him, because he can be physical, he can hold it in, and he showed last season in the spell with us that he can score goals as well.

"We're delighted to get him back. He's one that we were desperate to retain and, thankfully, we've managed to do that."