Talking point

Raith Rovers’ home form should give them confidence next week. John Hughes’ men haven’t lost in Kirkcaldy since the start of February. Unfortunately, there is less encouragement for today. They haven’t won away from home since October.

“But, if I’m honest, I’ve not been confident, and most of the boys are probably the same with the situation we’re in. It’s hard to be at your best when you’re under a lot of pressure.

“Personally, I’ll take a lot of confidence from how I played, and getting a goal. I’m just hoping we can replicate the second-half performance.”

Raith came from behind twice against Hibs in midweek and looked to have snatched a well-earned point before James Keatings won it for the champions with a free-kick in injury-time.

It leaves John Hughes’ struggling outfit just three points above bottom side Ayr United, who they play next weekend, and a point above today’s hosts.

Defeat by the revitalised Buddies would see them slip into the dreaded relegation play-off spot but, with a vastly-superior goal difference to Ayr, who face Hibs today, a victory is likely to be enough to stave off relegation.

McManus added: “The incentive is win and we’re safe, but we’re playing a team that is down and around us, so that’s our only focus now.

“It should never have got to this point but we’re in it now.

“We’ve just got to go out on Saturday and play like we did in the second-half against Hibs, and we’ll be all right.

“At the end of the day, we just need the three points. All that matters is keeping the team up and making sure when I leave at the end of the season that my mates aren’t in League One.”