The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Riley-Snow staking big claim for Raith in what could be Blaise of glory
Raith Rovers manager John McGlynn insists midfielder Blaise Riley-Snow is on the right path to earning a new contract.
Riley-Snow, 22, joined the Rovers following a successful trial period in the summer, penning a short-term deal until January.
The very definition of an unknown quantity, the 6ft 2in Englishman arrived in Kirkcaldy following twoand-a-half years in the Spanish fifth tier with Universidad Alicante and Alicante City.
Since then, Riley-Snow has made seven appearances, scored his first goal in a recent SPFL Trust Trophy triumph over Forfar and turned in super showings against Premiership opposition in Livingston and Aberdeen.
Moreover, he is visibly growing accustomed to the pace of Scottish football.
Indeed, his only setback to date was a red card against Ayr United, resulting in a suspension from which he returns this weekend against Morton.
“He’s absolutely done himself no harm,” McGlynn tol Courier Sport.
“He’s someone we took a chance on in the hope that he would continue to improve and I think he has done that.
“Blaise has played against some excellent sides, Livingston and Aberdeen in the Premier Sports Cup, and scored his first goal for the club.
“He has come on really well and is certainly in our thoughts with regards to doing something on the contract front.
“We aren’t quite at that point just yet but he is here. All parties are happy with things and it’s an ongoing process. He’s looking good, that’s for sure.”
McGlynn initially lauded Riley Snow’s physicality and ability to break up play in the heart of midfield when he linked up with the Stark’s Park club.
However, as the player grows in familiarity and fitness, McGlynn is seeing signs of a more mobile, box-to-box operator emerge.
Such progress is particularly welcome given the dynamic presence of Dylan Tait will join Hibernian in January.
“I’m hoping there is still plenty more to come from Blaise,” continued
McGlynn. “He wasn’t really up to match fitness when he came in, especially compared to the rest of the squad.
“He’s worked hard, caught up in that regard and he has been getting better with each passing game he plays.
“He’s actually showing that he can get into dangerous areas in the final third, with his strike against Aberdeen that led to a goal, and he found the net from the second phase of a set-play against Forfar. Blaise looks like he could be more of a box-to-box player rather than one who just sits.
“We allow our midfielders to rotate – they aren’t in the one position for the whole game – and he looks like he’s got it in him to get forward.”
McGlynn added: “He’s a nice big lad as well, really appreciative of the opportunity he has here, and I think that shines through.”