McHattie very much in Rovers’ thoughts: Smith

Boss hoping to re-sign former Hearts defender

Raith boss Barry Smith has revealed he is hoping to bring Kevin McHattie back to the club.

The 23-year-old former Hearts fullback played through the pain barrier for Rovers at the end of last season because of a groin problem that required constant treatment and restricted his training to just a couple of times a week.

He underwent an operation at the end of the campaign with his contract at Stark’s Park ending this summer.

Now though, McHattie has joined in the club’s pre-season training with Smith hopeful that a deal can be agreed to add him back to the squad for Rovers’ League 1 promotion push.

The manager said: “The boys have come back in good condition and have been working very hard.

“To be fair, they all look after themselves and have kept ticking over during what has been a short break for them.

“We have had the ball out every day and they have shown the right appetite.

“It is only early days but there is definitely a lot of quality in the group.

“It is good to have Jason Thomson and Aaron Lennox signed and to have Kevin McHattie back in training.

“It is a case of getting the right deal for Kevin and he is very much in our thoughts. He had an operation at the end of last season but he has worked hard though the summer and he is one we would like to get back in.

“Keeper Kevin Cuthbert has not done any pre-season yet and we will probably have to wait for another 10 days or so to see where we are with him.”