Furtado aims to follow Agathe lead

French star Willis Furtado says he wants to follow in the footsteps of Didier Agathe and use Raith Rovers as a launchpad to the big time.

Agathe became a treble winner with Celtic just two years after bluffing his way through a trial at Stark’s Park in 1999 when he pretended he was a striker.

As a wing-back he ended up winning three titles under Hoops boss Martin O’neill and played in the 2003 Uefa Cup final against Porto.

Furtado is taking inspiration from Agathe’s journey and has his eyes on bigger things.

The 20-year-old, who is the Ladbrokes League One player of the month for February, said: “Didier Agathe is a great example of what can be achieved.

“I want to follow him and do what he did but I know I need to work hard at Raith Rovers.

“I want to keep getting better because it is my dream to play at a higher level.”

Furtado reckons Rovers can almost kill of Ayr United’s title chances if they beat them on Saturday and pull seven points clear at the top.

He said: “We know the importance of this game.

“It would be huge for us to win it because it would give us a big advantage at a vital time in the season,

“We all want to win the league and I think winning this game would be a big step towards that dream.

“I think Ayr would find it hard to catch us if we get the win that we want.”

Furtado, who joined Rovers in January from Airdrie, has happy memories of Somerset Park having netted a vital equaliser for the Diamonds there back in October.

The 20-year-old attacker said: “I would love to score there again on Saturday in what is a massive game for the club.

“I only have a contract until the end of the season, but I hope that if I can play a part in Raith Rovers winning the league then they will offer me a new one.

“But that is for later.

“Right now we have to concentrate on this massive game with Ayr United on Saturday.”

Didier Agathe during his time with Raith before moving on to win three titles with Celtic.