News | Deniz’s record is a result for the team

Deniz shuts out record for now and claims season has been based on really working hard for 90-95 minutes every Saturday.

There did not feel like there was much to celebrate in the goalless draw at home to Kelty Hearts last weekend but for the Pars goalkeeper Deniz Mehmet there was a reason to be happy. The 30 year old keeper achieved his 21st shut out of the season and in doing so surpassed Ian Westwater`s individual club record from season 1985/1986. He told the website:-

`I got told after the game on Saturday and received the exact numbers behind it. It is a nice feeling but I haven`t really had much time to think about it and enjoy it as much as I think people will think I have. With everything going on and what stage we are in the league season, I have put it to the back of my mind while enjoying it as much as I could.

`It was a bit of a non-event of a game unfortunately on Saturday but these things happen. In a league season you are going to get games like that, of course they are not all going to be as exciting as some of the games have been.

`There were a couple of crosses and the closest thing I did to making a save was when I had to come off my line to clear the ball outside my box. As boring the game was for myself and maybe for the fans watching it as well, that`s down to boys working hard in front of me as well. They didn`t give the opposition anything on Saturday and have been brilliant all season in front of me. They say it`s my clean sheets and my record but a lot of it is down to the team one hundred percent.`

Deniz was signed from Dundee United in the summer of 2021 by manager Peter Grant but made only eight appearances last season. This season however he has been near ever-present with 38 appearances and he is indifferent as to whether it`s a three or a four in front of him claiming it`s the hard work of the players in front of him that deserves great credit:-

`Had you asked me last season I would have told you a four. That`s nothing to do with personnel, just I have been more used to it but to be honest I have obviously noticed the changes in formation and the style of play but I think our season has been based on really working hard for 90-95 minutes every Saturday.

`The boys are rolling their sleeves up and putting everything on the line for the club by putting everything into their performances. It has been hard work for them and I appreciate that massively. I`m stood behind them and I can see everything that they are doing and they are shattered at some points but they are still going and quite relentless with it.

`A lot of that is down to the gaffer and the coaching staff, their work ethic has been instilled into us. We have to work hard every day in training, work hard in games and give absolutely everything. I don`t think anyone can look back on the team`s performances and say `˜I don`t think they tried today`. They give everything week in, week out. I don`t feel much of a difference be it a three or a four at the back. Everyone pushes and presses from the front all the way back.`

Even given the pleasurable feeling of so many shut outs Deniz finds it different to single out his most pleasing performance:-

`You enjoy the derby games against Falkirk, the 1-0 at Falkirk, the 2-0 at home and the atmosphere that comes with the big turnout from the crowd. It was a great crowd at The Falkirk Stadium when we went there and pretty much sold out the crowd. The home game on that Tuesday night was an unreal night and the atmosphere was amazing. Those are fond ones.

`It was nice to be involved in the lead up to the goal in the Edinburgh City game when we won 1-0 and making a save late on in the second half. The Queen of the South game when we won 2-0 the first time there and I made the penalty save. For a keeper that`s maybe on the same level as a striker scoring a hattrick. To be fair there have been other games where I`ve not kept a clean sheet but still come off the pitch feeling good. That`s not just my performances but being a part of what the boys have been doing in front of me.`

Next up for Deniz and Dunfermline is the away day in Falkirk, a club Deniz played for between January 2016 and February 2017. He recalled how he moved from the Süper Lig club Kayserispor to the Scottish Championship:-

`I was playing in Turkey and it was through my agent at the time and a connection to a guy called Neal Ferrie who was responsible for taking me there, as he had a major role in putting my name forward when I moved to Dundee United. I spent a year at Falkirk over the course of two seasons.

`It was enjoyable for me, I made friends there and the fans are not as welcoming to me any more as they used to be. It`s part and parcel of it. I still get a ribbing from them and that will always happen when someone crosses to play for the other side. That`s just football, the rivalry that you get in derbies.`

Deniz clearly hopes that he can extend his shut out record on Saturday and close in on the Dunfermline club record of 23 for a season, achieved by three keepers in season 1993/94.

`It is going to be a tough challenge as it always is, there is never an easy game. I wish there was but this league has been quite competitive throughout the whole season. There has not really been a game where we have come off the pitch and it was a walk in the park.

`It will be a good test again. I`m sure it will be a good turnout. I believe we sold our tickets out in a matter of hours. It will be good to go there with a sell out from our side and I`m sure it will be a very similar atmosphere as it has been in the last three games. I`m definitely looking forward to it, it is a nice fixture to play in and we are just preparing as we would do week in, week out and treat it as any other Saturday fixture.`

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