Anderson addition shows Raith’s desire: McGlynn

St Johnstone legend Steven Anderson has joined Raith Rovers on loan.

The Perth club’s Scottish Cup legend has signed for the Kirkcaldy side on a season-long deal.

Rovers manager John McGlynn said: “Steven has a wealth of experience at Premiership level and is a Scottish Cup winner.

“I have no doubt he will help us in our quest for promotion. He is a winner, an organiser, a talker, a no-nonsense defender who will make a big difference in both goalmouths at set plays.

“His experience at the top level can only help all our players but in particular our young players both on and off the park.

“This is a statement of our desire to get out this league.”

No points will be won or lost but Raith striker Lewis Allan believes this afternoon’s Caramel Wafer Cup clash with Falkirk could still have a bearing on the League 1 title race this season.

Falkirk are the overwhelming favourites for the championship and the solitary automatic promotion spot after former Raith and Dundee United boss Ray McKinnon recruited a host of players used to playing at a higher level.

However with the Bairns not getting it all their own way so far, Rovers are desperate to put in a title challenge of their own in their third season in the third tier.

And summer signing Allan, the former Hibs striker, believes Raith can prove they are capable of pushing today’s opponents all the way in the league when they seek a knock-out blow in the cup.

He said: “It’s the cup and not the league, which is the priority, but you want to go out and set a marker, don’t you?

“You want to put on a good performance and get a win.

“Falkirk are the favourites for the league, but that’s our goal. So, if we can get one up on them then it can’t do any harm.

“It’s a tough, tough league. Anyone can beat anyone, there’s a lot of good teams, and there’s a lot of football still to be played.”

As they break for cup duties, Raith sit top of League 1 after the opening five games, with Falkirk tucked in a point behind in third place.

But Rovers will be happy to get back to Stark’s Park after succumbing to a 4-2 defeat away to rivals East Fife last weekend, and Allan confesses the loss was hard to take.

He said: “We seemed up for it and were in control of the game, but we conceded a really poor goal.

“And it was frustrating to lose the game and in the manner we did.”

Allan netted the opener at Bayview to take his tally for the season to five goals from 10 games, with two coming in the previous round against Ross County Colts.

The 22-year-old continued: “I’m hoping to keep my scoring run going and see where it takes me and where it takes us.”

Steven Anderson brings “wealth of experience” to Raith.