STEVIE Crawford has been confirmed as the new manager of East Fife after serving as caretaker for two weeks following the departure of Dave Baikie.
The former Scotland striker is understood to have beaten off the challenge of former Rangers, St Johnstone and Dundee United player Gary Bollan to land the post at Bayview, where he has been playing this season.
Crawford will be assisted by former
Hearts and Falkirk striker Scott Crabbe, who has been coaching one day per week at Bayview this season.
East Fife have lost both games which Crawford has taken charge of, at home to Alloa and away to Ayr United. But after being asked to look after the first team by the Bayview board of directors, he made it clear that he wanted the job.
With several members of the Bayview squad out of contract in the summer, Crawford has his work cut out to rebuild a side for next season. After looking like play-off contenders in the first half of the season, the Fifers have fallen away badly and have lost eight of their past ten games, their only win coming against doomed Stranraer.
Crawford, 35, joined East Fife last summer in a two-year deal, but he has indicated that he is reluctant to combine playing with management.
• Albion Rovers midfielder Danny Ferry is helping out Cliftonhill manager Paul Martin after the departure of Coatbridge assistant Paddy Connolly. Ferry, 31, will take the Coatbridge side's coaching until the end of the season.
