Raith Rovers boss refusing to take another vital victory for granted

Raith RoveRs: Stark’s Park gaffer taking nothing for granted as his side faces up to a team on a bad losing run

Raith boss Barry Smith admits his tabletopping side are fully aware of the potential pitfalls that lie in wait as they prepare to face Albion Rovers at Cliftonhill on Saturday.

The Kirkcaldy outfit have opened up an eight-point lead on Ayr United at the top of League 1 after winning three games in the space of last week.

One of those victories came against Albion Rovers who have lost their last six games in a row.

Raith are red-hot favourites to win again this weekend however Smith is taking absolutely nothing for granted especially as his team lost 2-1 at Cliftonhill back in September.

The manager said: “It was a tough week but to come through it and get nine points out of nine is a great return.

“It is credit to the boys and especially their fitness levels on Saturday.

“After playing two games and into the second half of the third, they looked very strong.

“I thought that eventually won us the game.

“They work hard in training and anything we ask them to do is done to the top level.

“So it is credit to them that they work so hard throughout the week to make sure they are ready for Saturday.”

Smith added: “We are in a good position but our focus is on the next game at Albion Rovers.

“There is no point in looking further ahead.

“It can be good looking at the bigger picture and what you can achieve because that can motivate you.

“But we have to concentrate on the short term and that’s the next game.

“The boys know the pitfalls of going to Cliftonhill. We have had that experience and we do not want it again.

“But I think we have shown in games since then that if we have to roll up the sleeves, we are more than capable of doing that.”

Raith had to come from behind against Airdrie on Saturday before going on to secure another vital victory and Smith insisted that speaks volumes about the character of his players.

He said: “I think the boys just have the mentality that they will take something from every game.

“Even if they do go behind, there is an inner belief in the dressing-room that they will get something whether it is a win or a draw.”

Club captain Kyle Benedictus made his long-awaited comeback from a leg fracture against Airdrie and Smith admitted he is delighted the big defender has returned to the fold. He said: “It is great to see him back. “It was a calculated risk playing him as he has been out for a long time.

“But he has trained for a good few weeks now and he is looking fit.

He still needs match sharpness but he will only get that by playing games.

“We couldn’t get him a 20s game last week but we just felt it was time to put him back in.

“He came through it OK with no effects.

“So it is good to have a defender of his calibre and experience coming back into the team at this stage of the season.

“It is no disrespect to the younger ones but they were maybe put in a bit too early.

“They have done well but over the course of a season, you need your experienced players who have played a good amount of games.

“We are now back to that. We are happy with the squad we have to take us forward.”

The boys know the pitfalls of going to Cliftonhill. We have had that experience and we do not want it again. BARRY SMITH

Picture: SNS. Barry Smith is delighted Kyle Benedictus has returned after he made his comeback in the Airdrie match.