‘All the pressure is on Dundee’: McGlynn out to build momentum
Another year in second tier would ‘weigh heavy’ on rivals
PREMIERSHIP SEMI-FINAL, 1ST LEG
RAITH Rovers manager John McGlynn is convinced the possible “disaster” of Dundee failing to win promotion back to the Premiership could weigh heavily on their shoulders in the pressure cooker of the play-offs.
The Dens Park side have had time to rest and wait on their opponents after clinching second spot in the Championship by overhauling Raith. But, by contrast, McGlynn is hopeful his players have mounting momentum and confidence after seeing off rivals Dunfermline in the quarter-finals.
And, despite a lack of expectation on his own team, McGlynn is desperate for the Kirkcaldy side to grab their opportunity with both hands, starting with tomorrow night’s first-leg at Stark’s Park.
He said: “It was a massive game on Saturday – the quarter-final of a play-off and a derby game – and all these things add motivation, anticipation and pressure.
“Coming out on top over two games can obviously give us confidence and more momentum. Winning a derby game is very significant.
“We can’t do anything about Dundee having had a rest but
we’ve been playing games, playing big games, competitive games, and we know what it’s going to take after getting through the quarter-final.
“All the pressure is on
Dundee. They were the team that were expected to be challenging Hearts at the top of the table. However, they found themselves in second place and now they’ve got a second chance to get to the Premiership.
“It will be an absolute dream come true for us if we could do it. We would create history and all sorts.
“For them to get back would be a massive boost,
Coming out on top over two games can obviously give us confidence and more momentum
undoubtedly. But probably there’s more pressure because another year in the Championship would be maybe a disaster for them.
“That could very much weigh heavily on their shoulders.”
Meanwhile, experienced defender Iain Davidson is expected to make it after limping off at the weekend but on-loan Rangers attacker Kai Kennedy will miss the game after undergoing a scan on a
hamstring injury. The veteran centre-back limped off late on during Saturday’s quarterfinal win over Dunfermline clutching his hamstring – making him a major doubt to face his former side.
But McGlynn says the 37-year-old – who was only cleared to face the Pars after having his Hearts sending-off quashed on appeal – was only suffering the effects of fatigue.
He now plans on having
Davidson back in the heart of his backline as Rovers play host at Stark’s Park in the opening leg of their semi-final shoot-out with James McPake’s men.
Victory over the doubleheader would see Raith take on the team finishing second bottom of the Premiership in the final, with a top-flight return after a 24year absence the prize for the Fifers.
McGlynn said: “Iain Davidson came off on Saturday. We’re still assessing it but we’re hoping he’ll be OK.
“He’s certainly not ruled out and we’ll give him every opportunity.
“He had a little bit of fatigue in his hamstring. He’s certainly not pulled or strained his hamstring, which is a relief.
“Iain is 37 and has been playing Saturday-Tuesday for a while now. It’s quite a big ask.
“Frankie Musonda has been one of our mainstays but he had an operation on Friday so he certainly won’t be available.
“So to lose Iain on top of that would have been a big blow. But we’re very hopeful he’ll make Wednesday’s game. Our fingers are crossed.”
On-loan Rangers man Kai Kennedy is definitely ruled out of the semi-final clash but McGlynn has not given up hope that the Rovers support will get to see him back in a dark blue shirt.
“Kai is back at Rangers getting treatment,” he said, “They are scanning him today.
“The information we were given before is that he would have an outside chance of making the final if we get there.
“Hopefully the scan will give us some certainty either way.
“Fingers crossed he pulls through as it would be a shame if he didn’t. Kai had an excellent first half of the season at Inverness and he’s been great for us.
“As well as being a very good player and technician, he’s also a very good boy so it would be harsh for him to miss out on these big games.”