Raith’s players must adjust to an empty Hampden

League leaders head for the national stadium full of confidence

He has played at a packed Hampden for Scotland and won a cup final there with Dundee United but Scott Robertson admits this afternoon’s visit to the National Stadium with Raith will present very different challenges.

Unlike the showcase occasions in the past, there will be thousands of empty seats at the venue for Rovers’ game with Queen’s Park as Barry Smith’s side look to make it a magnificent seven victories in a row.

But it will not be a new experience for Robertson who has faced the Spiders there once before more than a decade ago while on loan from Dundee.

The 32-year-old knows it can be difficult for players to take in but insists the Kirkcaldy side simply have to focus on further cementing their place at the top of League 1.

Rovers moved four points clear last weekend following their 2-1 win over second-placed Ayr with the victory being overshadowed by a leg fracture suffered • Like a tennis player who hasn’t broken serve until he holds his next game, Raith Rovers will feel that the hard work of defeating fellow promotion favourites Ayr United last weekend will only be worthwhile if they can back it up with another three points against League One strugglers Queen’s Park. by skipper Kyle Benedictus.

Robertson said: “I think the lads showed great resilience to come from behind against a very good Ayr team.

“Losing Benny to a bad injury early on was a big blow so we have to be delighted to get another three points.

“We have to hold our hands up and admit we weren’t at our best in the first half. The manager told us we weren’t at it and we hadn’t come close to the standards we have set so far this season.

“But the boys responded and we are just delighted to get another win.

“I had to move to centre-half after Benny went off which was an experience to say the least. I have played both fullback positions before but that was the first time I had even been in the centre of defence.

“We will see what happens this Saturday but I am just happy playing wherever the manger asks me to.”

Robertson added: “I actually played at Hampden against Queen’s Park about 13 years ago when I was on loan at Peterhead.

“It is strange to say the least playing at such a big venue with so few people in it and it does present a challenge mentally.”

As well as Benedictus, Rovers will also be without the injured Kevin Mchattie.

MONTROSE V STIRLING ALBION

Top of the table matches haven’t come around too often for Montrose in recent years.

So today’s one against Stirling Albion should be a fixture to be enjoyed.

Manager Stewart Petrie will only start to place real significance on league positions when the opening round of matches are completed.

But, even at this early stage of the campaign, leap-frogging Stirling Albion into first place in League 2 will be a nice reward for the Montrose players and fans for the hugely impressive start to their season.

“The supporters have endured some tough seasons over the last few years,” said Petrie. “The fans have been very loyal and I know that hospitality is up this season.

“It will be good to stay up at the top end of the table because it certainly beats the pressure at the bottom.

“At the moment it’s all about gathering points because it’s still early days. We’ll take stock after the first quarter.”

It has come as no surprise to Petrie that the current leaders are Stirling.

He said: “Dave Mackay was a quality player and he’s made a great start to management.

“Stirling finished strongly last season and they’ve carried that form into the start of this one, and by bringing in Peter Macdonald they’ve got a striker who has scored goals everywhere he has gone.”

Montrose’s draw at Peterhead was a sign of a team growing in confidence.

“It wasn’t a great performance,” said Petrie. “But credit to the players for keeping going. They don’t know when they’re beaten, which is a great quality to have in a side.”

Danny Cavanagh and Michael Bolochoweckyj are the only two players sidelined.

Scott Robertson says playing at an empty Hampden Park does present a mental challenge.

Darren Young wants his side to stop shooting themselves in the foot.