Dunfermline’s Graham Bayne admits he was pinching himself when he came on as a substitute in front of more than 11,000 fans in last weekend’s vital Fife derby.
When Bayne returned to Dunfermline, there were new players in the dressing-room in the shape of Liam Buchanan, Kevin Rutkiewicz and Martin Hardie. These additions have been crucial, Bayne believes, in Dunfermline’s surge for the title.
“Any club that brings in quality players increases competition, first and foremost,” he said.
“Martin Hardie has scored a lot of goals but it is not just the amount he has netted, it is the importance of them as well.
“For instance, the last-minute winner against Ross County up there was pivotal to our season. He has been immense but so have Kevin and Liam since they came in.
“There was already a great set of guys here but they have fitted in really well and added something extra to the dressing-room.”
Bayne admitted that there was one other result on his mind last weekend: the Ross County v Dundee score.
The Dark Blues picked up a vital Dingwall victory to secure first division status and Bayne has nothing but praise.
“I was pinching myself playing in front of more than 11,000 for Dunfermline and it was exactly the same when I played those two games for Dundee,” he said.
“To have suffered a 25-point deduction and to have ensured their safety with two games remaining is an incredible achievement.
“As soon as you walk into Dens, you sense an amazing spirit. And it really does strike you when you start training that there are not that many bodies there.
“A couple of them were creaking even then. For instance, Sean Higgins put in an incredible level of performance even although he was carrying an injury which eventually ended his season.
“To have gone on their record-breaking unbeaten run with so few players and to survive in the first division is nothing short of remarkable.”
The striker had previously endured a nightmare 18 months out of the game, after picking up a rare foot problem.
Several attempts at a comeback failed and it looked like Bayne would be forced to hang up his boots for good.
However, he finally regained full fitness at the start of this year, a factor which persuaded Dundee boss Barry Smith to sign him as a trialist at the beginning of March.
Bayne played two games for the Dark Blues before being snapped up by his former boss Jim McIntyre at Dunfermline on a deal until the end of this season.
And the player admits that Saturday’s 2-1 victory over Raith Rovers, which put the Pars in the first division title driving seat, also set the seal on his incredible comeback.
“It was a great win on Saturday with a fantastic performance and a lot of character shown by the boys,” he said.
“I thought we played Raith off the park in the first half, to be honest, but it is all about taking your chances and they did that.
“That’s when you have to show some bottle and we came out in the second half, got a goal and went on to be worthy winners.
“When you are out for as long as I was, it is just great to be involved in any capacity again.
“The atmosphere was incredible and it was superb to savour that winning feeling.
“It was the same when I had a couple of games with Dundee. There is no substitute for playing and winning.
“I really have to keep pinching myself as I was out for nearly 18 months, which is a long, long time in football.
“I have said it before, but Dunfermline were outstanding in the way they looked after me.
The club were also good enough to sign me again as the manager thought I had something to offer.
“I am contracted to the end of the season and I will have to see what happens after that. But I am just happy to be involved in any capacity.”
The striker had previously endured a nightmare 18 months out of the game, after picking up a rare foot problem.
Several attempts at a comeback failed and it looked like Bayne would be forced to hang up his boots for good.
However, he finally regained full fitness at the start of this year, a factor which persuaded Dundee boss Barry Smith to sign him as a trialist at the beginning of March.
Bayne played two games for the Dark Blues before being snapped up by his former boss Jim McIntyre at Dunfermline on a deal until the end of this season.
And the player admits that Saturday’s 2-1 victory over Raith Rovers, which put the Pars in the first division title driving seat, also set the seal on his incredible comeback.
“It was a great win on Saturday with a fantastic performance and a lot of character shown by the boys,” he said.
“I thought we played Raith off the park in the first half, to be honest, but it is all about taking your chances and they did that.
“That’s when you have to show some bottle and we came out in the second half, got a goal and went on to be worthy winners.
“When you are out for as long as I was, it is just great to be involved in any capacity again.
“The atmosphere was incredible and it was superb to savour that winning feeling.
“It was the same when I had a couple of games with Dundee. There is no substitute for playing and winning.
“I really have to keep pinching myself as I was out for nearly 18 months, which is a long, long time in football.
“I have said it before, but Dunfermline were outstanding in the way they looked after me.
The club were also good enough to sign me again as the manager thought I had something to offer.
“I am contracted to the end of the season and I will have to see what happens after that. But I am just happy to be involved in any capacity.”