Smith cannot praise side highly enough

Boss says stunning fightback proved detractors wrong

Raith boss Barry Smith defiantly insists the remarkable win by his team at Airdrie on Saturday has well and truly proved their detractors wrong.

Rovers were staring defeat fully in the face at the Excelsior Stadium as the clock ticked towards the 87th minute, trailing 3-1 and down to 10 men following Iain Davidson’s sending off.

However, Raith turned the game on its head in an astonishing finale to win the match 4-3, with Smith admitting he has never seen anything like it during his long career as a player and manager.

The Stark’s Park boss believes what his players achieved should silence their critics.

Smith said: “I just think that the commitment, the desire and the character that has maybe been questioned by some people whether it was within or outside was proved wrong today.

“I am delighted for the players. “We have strong boys in that dressing- room but I take it personally when folk criticise them for certain things,” he said.

He added that to perform the way they did when down to 10 men showed their character, desire and commitment to go and win the game.

“We gambled as well. We went three at the back when we went down to 10 men with pretty much four in the middle and two up front.

“The players had to take a lot of information on in a short space of time but they responded in the right manner.

“I cannot praise the boys enough. They have taken a bit of stick but I cannot praise them enough because I think they showed that commitment and desire.”

Smith, who was talking to RaithTV, added: “The 10 that remained on the park . . .we only have a young bench, guys that shouldn’t be asked at the moment to go and do a man’s job.

“So we had to stick with those 10 on the pitch and those 10 who finished the game deserve so much credit for that performance. But now it is about remembering that winning feeling and putting it into practice next week. “I think the fans will enjoy seeing that. “Will they ever see a game like it again? Probably not. Since I’ve been involved in football, I don’t think I have seen a game like that.

“The fans should be proud of the players.”

“I don’t think I have seen a game like that. BARRY SMITH