The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Rovers set aside league thoughts
Raith Rovers boss Barry Smith may have a huge league match looming but that won’t lessen his determination to reach a cup semi-final, writes Ian Roache.
The Kirkcaldy men travel west to face Dumbarton today in the quarter-final of the IrnBru Cup.
That fixture is then followed by the really big one – Tuesday’s trip to Somerset Park to take on Ayr United in the battle of the joint leaders of League One.
Perhaps even the most diehard of Raith fans would forgive Smith for having one eye on the game against the Honest Men but the Stark’s Park manager stressed he will be taking the match against the Sons extremely seriously.
Smith said: “I think we all recognise that the league is our priority but we can still put out as strong a team as possible against Dumbarton.
“I think it is possible to do that without affecting what happens against Ayr.
“We have a great chance to reach a semi-final and, as a club, we would love to get through.
“It will be a tough game through there as you never go to Dumbarton and get an easy afternoon.
“They have changed their formation in the last couple of weeks and have been a bit more attack-minded so we need to be wary of that.
“Also there are seven former Raith Rovers players in their squad so that adds a bit of intrigue to the game as well.
“It is a game that is all about winning and that is what we will look to do.”
Kevin McHattie, Scott Robertson and Bobby Barr have all been carrying knocks but Robertson trained and Barr also has a chance of being on the bench.
They are without Kevin Cuthbert and Kyle Benedictus through injury, while Dario Zanatta is cup-tied after playing for Hearts’ under-20 side in an earlier round.