The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Blues ace tuned in to Roversdee clash
Raith Rovers have a glamorous new fan after Timmy Abraham revealed brother Tammy took out a subscription for the club’s TV channel to watch Saturday’s clash with Dundee.
Abraham joined the Stark’s Park outfit on loan from Fulham late on Friday night and was handed a quickfire debut in the 3-1 success against the Dark Blues.
The 20-year-old was an impressive focal point for Rovers’ slick passing game that saw them recover from Osman Sow’s early strike to take all three points and move into second spot in the Championship table.
The marksman’s older sibling plays for Chelsea and England.
He said: “I spoke to him on the day of the move. He told me to work hard, get in the box, score goals and help the team.
“He literally got a subscription (for Raith TV) before the game. My whole family’s got it now, so they were watching the game.
“I’ve always seen having my brother as a motivation, an extra push. Obviously, I’ve grown up watching him, so it’s almost like having a role model right there.
“I use it as a positive instead of a negative.
“He had three loan spells himself, so I know loans are very helpful. They’ve helped a lot of people, especially him.”
Jason Cummings insists he has returned to Scottish football determined to prove there is still plenty of life left in the not-so-old striker.
The confident former Hibs forward admits things could have gone a whole lot better for him during nearly four years in English football.
The coronavirus pandemic ensured his onfield struggle for game time was magnified off the pitch and left him feeling lonely and pining for a return north of the border.
But the Scotland cap has no regrets over his stints with Nottingham Forest and Shrewsbury Town, plus loans with Rangers, Peterborough and Luton Town.
And he rejects any suggestions his career is in need of a desperate pick-me-up after penning an 18-month deal at Dens Park.
He said: “I wouldn’t say so. I know some people might say that, but I’m still confident and I wouldn’t say my career is dead! Resurrection is if you’ve died.
“I’ve not died, I’m still only 25. I’m not like, ‘This is your last chance’ or anything like that. People can say all those things but I’m just here to enjoy football and enjoy my life. I’m back with my family, that’s it.
“To be honest, I wasn’t playing, so I had to go somewhere. I’m 25 and it’s not like I’m young or that old – I’m at that age where I should be playing every week.
“I really wanted to come home. I had four seasons down south and it was good.
He added: “I had some good times and a few good games. But I just hit a brick wall.
“I was missing home and I wanted to come back up.
“There were a couple of teams keen but it made sense coming here with the gaffer and the boys.”
Cummings was a team-mate of Dundee boss James Mcpake and defender Liam Fontaine at Hibs and felt Dundee was the right fit on his return to Scotland.
And he employed his usual colourful language when describing his desire to come home last week.
He added: “When I heard it was getting announced and I knew I was signing, I just felt excitement and relief.
“It was a wee bit like I was escaping from Alcatraz, if I’m honest!
“That’s nothing to do with Shrewsbury – they were brilliant with me and it’s a good club – it was just me personally.
“Covid didn’t help and I know everyone is in the same boat and it can make people feel a wee bit alone and lonely.
“But when you are six hours down the road in the middle of nowhere... your family and your mates are nowhere near you.
“It was just my life away from football and that’s the main reason I came back up the road.
“I had a good time, played in some good grounds alongside and against some good players and I gained a lot of experience.”
Cummings was introduced for his Dark Blues debut in the second half at Stark’s Park but could not help inspire a comeback.
The Dens Park side had surged in front when fellow debutant Paul Mcmullan brilliantly set up Osman Sow for a fifth-minute volley.
But former Dundee defender Kyle Benedictus headed in the equaliser midway through the first half when the visitors were caught out by Raith’s shortcorner routine.
Thereafter, Rovers got into their groove and they sealed victory after the break to go into second spot in the Championship table.
Reghan Tumilty blasted in a stunning second from 30 yards out early in the second-half before on-loan Rangers winger Kai Kennedy curled in a superb third on the hour mark.