The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Smith relishes chance to work with players
Manager keen to get on training ground and says basis of squad is in place
Raith boss Barry Smith cannot wait to finally start working with his players on the training pitch.
The Rovers squad will report to the club’s Glenrothes training base today for the start of pre-season.
Smith, who was in charge of part-time East Fife before being appointed Raith boss at the end of last month, has already spoken individually to all of his players before they meet up as a group for the first time.
He is certain they will all come back in good condition and raring to go as Rovers bid to bounce straight back up to the Championship.
And while the necessary signing formalities still have to be completed, last season’s club skipper Jason Thomson and former Aberdeen keeper Aaron Lennox will be part of the squad being put through their paces by Smith, who has also managed at Dundee, Alloa and Aldershot Town.
The 43-year-old said: “I have met
“We have the basis of the squad in place, and we will be looking at possible loan deals in the next couple of weeks. BARRY SMITH
most of the lads face to face and the ones who were on holiday I have spoken to them on the phone.
“I was keen to chat with them individually as I believe it is important I get to know them and they also find out what I am about.
“It has been a few weeks since I was appointed and it will be good to get back on to the training pitch with the players,” he said.
“I am really looking forward to working with them, and for me it is great to be able to do that full-time.”
He added: “Hopefully working day-in, day-out will bring improvements as we look to bounce straight back to the Championship.”
Smith added: “I am also very grateful that the club pay to use what is a great facility at the Michael Woods Centre in Glenrothes.
“The fact that they have kept it on is a massive plus for us, and we will look to use it to its full effect.
“The lads will undergo fitness testing on their return but I do not envisage any problems there. I am certain they will all come back in good shape and we can get straight down to ball work.
“Jason Thomson will be back for preseason and I am delighted that he will be staying with the club as there was interest in him from elsewhere.
“Aaron Lennox has also agreed a deal and he will be training as well.
“We have the basis of the squad in place, and we will be looking at possible loan deals in the next couple of weeks.”