McGlynn calls on Raith to make legends of themselves
Rovers manager willing to dream ahead of play-offs
JOHN McGlynn has told his Raith Rovers players they will become club legends if they can go all the way in the play-offs and seal promotion back to the Premiership.
The Stark’s Park side have been away from the top flight of Scottish football since 1997 and only last season languished in League One.
But, with Dunfermline and then Dundee standing in their way before they even get a shot at the Premiership’s second-bottom side, McGlynn is convinced the Kirkcaldy men should allow themselves to dream.
He said: “It has been a long time since Raith have been in the top flight but that’s the ambition and desire we have.
“We have this opportunity, as we have played well this season and we are there on merit. It would be massive to get to the Premiership. The carrot is there for Dunfermline and Dundee as well. They have been in the top flight more recently than ourselves so, from our point of view, what an achievement this could be if we can do it.
“You talk about legendary status and it probably would be if we can get the club back there. We have been in League One and could we do back-to-back promotions to the Premiership? It would be dream-come-true stuff.
“The reality is we are here, with no fears whatsoever.
“It would be great to have fans at Ibrox, Celtic Park, Tynecastle, Easter Road, you name it.”
McGlynn confesses tonight’s encounter with Dunfermline and the second-leg of the playoff quarter-final at Stark’s Park on Saturday will be the biggest derbies he has been
involved in. The last time the teams met, Raith dished out an incredible 5-1 hammering, but also succumbed to a 4-1 mauling on their last trip to East End Park as recently as February.
With the tie seemingly able to go either way, McGlynn – who will have Iain Davidson available after the club appealed Friday’s red card from the defeat to Hearts – is convinced the Pars have more to lose.
He said: “There’s absolutely no doubt about that. They’ve probably put more money into their budget, they’ve probably
It has been a long time since Raith have been in the top flight but that’s the ambition
got more liability by not going up. But it doesn’t make our desire and hunger any weaker. I’m ambitious and I want to manage in the Premiership.
“If you’re a player you should want to play in it and our guys have got that opportunity.
“As much as the pressure is on these teams, I don’t think we should just say that finishing third is a magnificent season for Raith Rovers and we’ll see you next season in the Championship.
“We have to try to grasp this. It may well be that [staying in the Championship] will
happen, but we have to give it our best shot. We have to be every bit as determined.
“I think there is more pressure [on Dunfermline]. Will that make us a little bit more relaxed in playing football? I hope so. That’s what I would like to happen.
“I would hope that it doesn’t get to us and it does get to the others who are maybe feeling the heat.
“We’re certainly pleased with the way we have played. We’re not going to change now. Hopefully that’s going to take us through.”