The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Smith aims for hat-trick of titles
Keeper says Raith must get the job done to keep pressure on leaders Ayr
STRANRAER V RAITH ROVERS
Graeme Smith knows exactly what it means to win a league – and now he is looking to make it a hat-trick of triumphs with Raith.
Rovers have been involved in a Titanic title tussle with Ayr United all season and currently sit on 71 points, two behind the Honest Men with just two games of the regular season remaining.
Barry Smith’s side travel to face Stranraer this afternoon before Ayr play Alloa 24 hours later, with the game live on BBC Alba.
Keeper Smith insists Raith simply have to concentrate on themselves, rather than what could happen at their rivals’ game tomorrow.
However, the 35-year-old is just delighted that he is still in with a chance of securing another title.
He said: “I won the league with Rangers, although I was on the fringes of the squad and I also won League 2 with Peterhead. They were good days with superb celebrations.
“There are probably a lot better players who play their full career and don’t get the opportunities to win leagues so I am thankful for the situation I am in here.
“Whatever happens with Ayr is going to happen. All we are in control of is what we do. This league has been incredibly tight this season and if you look at the points tally we have, in most other divisions we would already have won the title.
“It has been a good battle between us and Ayr – hopefully it is not over.
“But if it is the play-offs, then we would fancy ourselves against anyone.”
The last time Raith played at Stranraer in January, they lost 1-0 with Smith admitting he was at fault for the goal.
And he is under no illusions about just how tough it will be at Stair Park today.
He said: “There have been a lot of twists and turns. At one stage we were eight points ahead and then they were five ahead.
“A week can be a long time in football and one result can change a lot.
“There will probably be a few more twists between now and the end of the season even although there are only two games left. All we are trying to do is keep winning games and the momentum going, then see where that takes us.
“We know it is going to be tough down there. When you are at the top of the league, teams want to beat you, even though they have little to play for.
“So all we can do is go down there fully focused to get three points and see where it takes us. If things don’t go our way, then at least we are going into the play-offs with momentum.
“That’s the most important thing as it is a lot more difficult going into them when you are not in form.
“You can’t just switch it on so you have to keep winning. That breeds confidence which is a massive thing in football.”