On-form striker out to bag fourth victory in a row

Lewis Allan accepts big-spending Falkirk will be overwhelming favourites in League One this season but insists Raith Rovers can pip them to the title.

The Bairns issued a statement of intent last weekend when they hammered Dumbarton 6-0, with summer signings Connor Sammon, Declan McManus and Charlie Telfer on the scoresheet.

However, at the same time, Rovers were seeing off Clyde in a high-scoring 5-2 victory to follow up on their own win against Dumbarton on the opening weekend of the campaign.

Allan is convinced the Stark’s Park outfit can mount a challenge, as long as their away form is up to scratch, and they have another chance to prove that against Stranraer this afternoon.

The former Hibs striker, who took his tally to four goals in seven matches with a brace in the Challenge Cup win over Ross County’s colts on Tuesday night, is relishing the demands of trying to land promotion back to the Championship.

He said: “It’s going to be a very exciting league and very competitive. There’s a lot of good teams in there and every one of those is in with a chance.

“It’s about who can get momentum going and who can pick up win after win and try to get a run going. That’s what we’re trying to do.

“Falkirk have got a really good squad, they’ve signed a lot of players, so it will be tough to win the league but that’s our aim. They’ve obviously spent a bit of money and their aim is to bounce straight back up – but we’re hoping to stop them doing that.

“They’re favourites for the league but we believe we should be in with a shout as well, because we’ve got a really good squad.”

With three consecutive wins under their belts, Allan believes Raith are full of confidence for this afternoon’s trip to Stranraer and after a lack of firstteam opportunities at Hibs and some frustrating loan spells at Dunfermline, Forfar, Livingston and Edinburgh City, the 22-year-old admits he is enjoying getting a regular game with Rovers.

He added: “I can’t wait for Saturday now. That’s four goals in seven games and hopefully I can keep that going. I want to really enjoy this season and the end goal is hopefully promotion.

“Away games are going to be crucial in that, they’re going to be the decider.

“It’s a tight pitch at Stranraer but we’re looking forward to it. We can’t wait to get down there and get playing again.”

Raith Rovers manager John McGlynn will have to watch this afternoon’s clash with Stranraer from the stand after he was hit with a three-match touchline suspension.

The Stark’s Park boss was served with a notice of complaint by the SFA for an alleged breach of disciplinary rules in the Betfred Cup clash with Dundee last month and the 57-year-old was found guilty of a misconduct charge following a hearing at Hampden on Thursday.

He will now serve a two-game ban – against Stranraer today and at home to Montrose next weekend – with a third match suspended pending good behaviour.