Dunfermline Athletic: Prolific Faissal El Bakhtaoui unsure of future

Faissal El Baktaoui is unsure where his footballing future lies

Dunfermline Athletic striker Faissal El Bakhtaoui says he does not know where his future lies after helping the Pars to the League One title.

El Bakhtaoui netted a fine hat-trick as Dunfermline clinched the title against Brechin City on Saturday.

"My contract is finished at the end of the season," the 23-year-old told BBC Scotland.

"I'm happy at Dunfermline. I don't know if I will be here next season; anything can happen in football."

Manager Allan Johnston said the club would "try their best" to keep the striker, whose first treble for the Fife club took his goals tally to 29 for the season.

El Bakhtaoui had not played much 11-a-side football prior to signing for Dunfermline in 2012, but believes the final strike of his treble - a sweet volley - was the best he has scored for the Pars.

"It's a big day for me and the lads; we had a great season together," he said. "The third goal I scored today is the best goal I've scored for Dunfermline.

"I played futsal, five against five, indoors, with a small ball as well [in France]. I moved to Scotland on the big pitch.

"My ambition is to work hard with the boys and score goals - that's my job, I have to do that."

Johnston meanwhile lauded the Dunfermline support, with over 4,000 fans at East End Park to see their team secure top spot.

"We started on fire - two goals early on, then a wee bit of nerves came in once they scored," said Johnston. "But the boys showed a lot of character and that third goal summed up our season.

"You can see how much it means to the fans, they're absolutely buzzing. It's an unbelievable turn-out again, they've got behind the players in their numbers. It's fantastic.

"Even as a manager [winning a title] doesn't come along very often. It's an amazing feeling and you've just got to cherish every minute."