The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Davidson praises Livi as Rovers target cup upset
Iain Davidson believes Raith Rovers should look to opponents Livingston for an example of just what can be achieved against the odds.
But the experienced defender would love to deal the Premiership shock troops their own massive setback by pulling off a Scottish Cup surprise this afternoon.
Davidson, now in his 13th season with the club, has seen highs and lows with Rovers and feels Livingston deserve massive credit for the way they have hauled themselves back up the divisions and into the top flight again.
And for them to be holding their own in fifth place in the Premiership is all the more remarkable.
With Celtic and Hibernian among Livi’s scalps at the Tony Macaroni Arena this term, the 36-year-old is fully aware how tough it is going to be for Rovers today.
But the former Dundee player insists the League One leaders have to believe they can cause a major upset in West Lothian.
He said: “You’ve got to admire what Livingston have done as a club in the last few years and I have nothing but respect for the club and the players.
“They’re sitting mid-table and looking pretty tidy in the Premiership at the moment, so it’s definitely going to be a difficult game, but one to look forward to.
“A lot of teams with their resources, as regards their financial position, would probably be in the lower end of the table. You need to respect what they’ve done.
“We’ve seen a lot of video of them this week and we know we’re going to be in for a game. That tells you why they’re sitting mid-table in the Premiership.
“Listen, the champions, Celtic, have gone there and been beaten. It’s not easy, they make life very, very difficult for you.
“Deep down, we know it’s going to be very tough. We know they’re well drilled and work very, very hard, and have some good players. Where they are in the league doesn’t lie.
“But we’ve got to try to worry about ourselves at the same time, and do what we’re good at, and try to get a positive result.
“It’s a game we’re very much looking forward to and we’ve given them the utmost respect since we started preparing for it on Monday morning.
“The gaffer has been pretty thorough in his attention to detail and has gone over as much as he can.
“Now, the boys have got to go and prove themselves and show they can do well at that level.”
Davidson believes Raith have to look no further for inspiration than their
Scottish Cup exploits of previous years under the current management team of John Mcglynn and Paul Smith.
The Kirkcaldy outfit made it as far as the semi-finals in 2010 before crashing out to eventual winners Dundee United in a 2-0 defeat at Hampden.
Davidson added: “When the gaffer and Smudger were manager and assistant the last time, we got that run to the semi-final of the cup against Dundee United 10 years ago.
“I had actually missed all the games leading up to that because of injuries but I made that Dundee United game at Hampden.
“We had a couple of chances early on and were actually a bit unlucky.
“But I take good memories from watching the games leading up to that.
“There was the Aberdeen game at home, which we drew, and then the win against them away, and then we beat Dundee away, which was a great result.
“I’m sure the gaffer and Smudger will have a lot of good memories from that.
“It shows it can be done. We’re all looking for these upsets and we’ve hopefully got the chance of one this weekend.”
Livingston skipper Alan Lithgow is back from illness for the visit of Raith Rovers.
Scott Robinson returns from suspension, while on-loan Huddersfield goalkeeper Ryan Schofield joins the squad along with defender Ciaron Brown, who has returned for a second loan spell.
Cece Pepe and Nicky Devlin are back running after injury but not ready to feature.
● Rovers’ rearranged home game against Falkirk will be played on Tuesday March 3.