Ross dreads starring in a Rovers horror movie

Ross Matthews reckons the fear of starring in one of manager John Mcglynn’s video nasties is helping spur Raith Rovers on in their bid for a promotion play-off spot.

Matthews is convinced Mcglynn’s incredible attention to detail is behind the Stark’s Park side flying high in the Championship as they prepare to host Inverness Caley Thistle.

The Kirkcaldy outfit are among the top scorers in the league and have become known for their cultured passing style since winning promotion from League One last summer.

And Matthews, who is in his eighth season with the club and last month signed a new three-year deal, has revealed they are leaving no stone unturned in their search for success.

The 25-year-old said: “The gaffer’s attention to detail is incredible. He loves doing video analysis and, at times, it can be draining, but it definitely helps.

“You’re constantly seeing what you did well and what you did wrong. It just means you’re constantly improving because you’re seeing those things for yourself and he’s pointing them out.

“I’ve never really had that before. I was maybe watching highlights myself after a game on Youtube but never had anyone pointing out to me, ‘this is what you do well, this is what you do badly, and this is how you’re going to improve’.

“It’s definitely making a big difference, not just to myself but the whole team in general, and also individually.

“There’s no stone left unturned. He literally covers everything before every game. So, there’s never an excuse.

“Also, because he shows you the game afterwards, there’s no hiding place if you make a mistake. He’ll be the first to point it out.

“It’s good, though, it means you’re accountable for it and it means you have to take more responsibility.

“Sometimes you’re on the pitch and you do something bad and you think, ‘oh no, that’s going to be in the video on Monday’.

“But, even though it can be horrible, it is good overall.”

Raith could have gone four points clear in second with a victory against Inverness on Friday night, but a second goalless draw – and Dunfermline’s victory 24 hours later – leaves them a point adrift of their rivals.

But Matthews, part of the Rovers team relegated to League One in 2017, insists the Stark’s Park men cannot get too hung up on what other teams are doing.

He added: “The last time we were in the Championship was horrible, and it’s been a tough few years trying to get the club back up.

“But we’re showing we can compete at this level and we keep on improving.

“The style the gaffer wants to play takes time to get used to but everything’s clicked together and it’s only going to get better.

“As long as we take care of ourselves that’s all that matters. We mustn’t start worrying about other teams.

“The league’s so close, it changes in a matter of a couple of weeks.

“It’s strange playing the same team so closely together but it actually happened at the start of the season with Inverness when we played them in the Betfred Cup and then a few days later in the league.

“We know exactly what we’re going to get, having played them the other night, but they know exactly what they’re going to get from us as well.”

Ross Matthews.