Boss Smith enjoying that winning feeling

Stark’s Park gaffer says his side must remain fully focused and secure three points tomorrow

Raith boss Barry Smith insists he and his players will continue to ignore the “bigger picture” and instead will just focus on what is immediately in front of them.

The table-topping Kirkcaldy side made it two wins in a row on Tuesday night against Albion Rovers, scoring three goals for the second game in succession to open up a five-point gap on title rivals Ayr United.

The Honest Men are on Scottish Cup duty against Rangers this weekend and Raith could increase their lead to eight points if they beat Airdrie.

However, Smith will demand his players just concentrate on securing another victory rather than the wider significance of the result.

He said: “Scoring goals breeds confidence.

“But the most important thing is winning. Three points is what we are looking for this Saturday coming.

“We do play attacking football but we are also very disciplined as a team defensively.

“We will have to be that again on Saturday as Airdrie are a tough team who have made some good signings.

“We have had two tight games against them this season.

“The boys are under no illusions that we have to be at the top of our game to continue what is a very good home record.

“Airdrie will certainly provide a threat. “The boys have done excellent to get us into a good place but the hard work must continue to ensure we stay there.

“It starts on Saturday and that is the only game we are worried about.”

Smith has not had his troubles to seek this season with key players having long spells out through injury.

However, the squad is in rude health at the moment with the likes of Kyle Benedictus, Scott Robertson, Greig Spence and Ross Matthews on the bench against Albion Rovers.

Smith added: “Credit to the boys, we have had a lot of injuries but they have just got on with it.

“We think we have a strong squad and when you look at the bench from Tuesday you recognise that we had a lot of good players there.

“It is great competition but it is also good for the players to see that.”

There was sad news earlier this week when it was confirmed that Raith keeper Kevin Cuthbert finally had to call time on his playing career after failing to recover from a groin problem.

He will continue to play an important role in a coaching capacity with the club and Smith added: “Kevin has made a difficult decision but it is based on what he thinks is right for him and the club.

“It is disappointing to lose a keeper of his quality but he has tried everything so he has decided it is now time for him to move on.

“He has had operations and exhausted every avenue. There just comes a point where you know yourself.”

● During the SPFL Development League East match between Raith Rovers and Stirling Albion played in December, Rovers fielded a trialist in respect of whom the correct paperwork had not been received by the SPFL and the player was therefore not eligible to play.

The match ended as a 1-1 draw. Following hearings before an SPFL sub-committee held last week, Rovers were determined to have breached SPFL Regulations, censured and warned as to their future conduct and given a suspended fine.

The original match result was annulled and the outcome of the match recorded as a 3-0 Stirling win.

Credit to the boys, we have had a lot of injuries but they have just got on with it. BARRY SMITH

Picture: SNS. Kyle Benedictus is one of a number of Raith players on their way back from injury to bolster the squad.