The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
New signings can take club forward – coach
RAITH ROVERS: Duggan and goalie Thomson ‘valuable additions’
Raith first-team coach Kevin Cuthbert insists new signings Chris Duggan and Robbie Thomson can take their careers and the club forward during their time at Stark’s Park.
Australian striker Duggan, who is 24 and scored 15 times for East Fife last season, was snapped up yesterday on a one-year deal by Rovers.
Keeper Thomson, 25, son of legendary Raith goalie Scott, played 29 times for Championship side Falkirk in the previous campaign and he put pen to paper on a two-year contract.
And Cuthbert, who has committed himself to another season with Barry Smith’s side, believes the duo will be valuable additions as Rovers look to bounce back up to the Championship at the second time of asking.
Cuthbert said: “Chris was a handful last year against us. Physically he can run in behind, he can score goals. We talked about him at length and he is a type of player we probably didn’t have last season.
“So bringing him in gives us another option up front which is good. He is a proven goalscorer at this level and hopefully he will come here and add to the team. I watched him play in a game against Stranraer and his work-rate was tremendous. He chased every ball down and worked incredibly hard.
“I think that’s what Raith Rovers fans want – they want to see players coming in and doing a shift for the team and he will do that for us.
“We need to bring in guys who will try to take the club forward first and foremost but also look to move their own career forward. So hopefully full-time football will help him do that.”
Cuthbert added: “I know Robbie from playing against him and talking to people who know him, the big thing was his professionalism and attitude and how he wants to be the best he can be. We will look to sign another keeper so there are two of them challenging for the first team. But hopefully Robbie can come here and make the position his own, play 40 games this season and progress his career. We are not looking to bring in the type of player searching for their last pay cheque before they leave the game.
“We want guys who can take the club forward and we can maybe have here for two or three years.”
Cuthbert admitted he is delighted to sign his own new deal and while promotion is very much the aim for this coming season, he is fully aware of just how tough a task that will be. He said: “I spoke to Barry just after I announced my retirement in February about my future and where it would be.
“We planned on getting promoted which obviously didn’t happen but nothing changed.
“Working with Barry is great and I am delighted to be here. I am looking forward to the season. I think it will be a very difficult league and we have to show respect to the teams in it.
“We will be the team everybody is looking to beat because we are full-time. But we will look to be up there challenging and promotion is the aim.”