Veteran striker targets Raith promotion

AIRDRIEONIANS 0 RAITH ROVERS 1

Raith Rovers new signing Steven MacLean revealed he turned down offers elsewhere because he wants to help the club win promotion.

The 37-year-old striker made his debut in Saturday’s 1-0 win over Airdrie after dropping two divisions to join the League One leaders on loan from Hearts.

When asked what attracted him to the Kirkcaldy club, the former St Johnstone man replied: “The manager.

“I spoke to him and he was keen for me to come.

“Then a couple of things came up late, but I’m a man of my word so I phoned him and said I was coming.

“I’m looking forward to it and I’m excited about coming.

“I’m dropping down a couple of levels but we’re top of the league and going for promotion, and I want to help.

“I’ve never had a promotion in Scotland so it will be nice for the CV. Hopefully I can contribute and help the boys and manager get promotion.”

MacLean played the full 90 minutes at the Penny Cars Stadium – his first action since December 21 after falling out of the first team picture at Tynecastle following the arrival of manager Daniel Stendel.

“It was hard fought,” he said.

“It would have been nice to score on my debut but when you get to my age you know what football is all about.

“It’s all about performances and the team winning, and it’s a great result.

“When you’re going for league titles and promotion, which I’ve done in England, there’s different ways to win football games.

“You’re going to play well in games, but you’re going to have spells where you just have to dig in, and we did both.

“I did some research before I came, watched some clips on Youtube and spoke to Steven Anderson – he’d put you to sleep though.

“So I knew they were a good football side but we showed the other side and dug in as well, and put bodies on the line.

“They’re all big games now, and when you’re at the top of the league you’re there to be shot at, but it’s something to embrace and enjoy.”

Rovers’ third consecutive 1-0 victory over Airdrie this season moved them three points clear at the top of the standings after Falkirk’s draw at bottom of the table Stranraer.

Ross Matthews struck the decisive goal after just four minutes, sweeping an excellent finish beyond Scott Gallacher from Kieran MacDonald’s cross.

Rovers could have added to their tally in a commanding opening half hour, and although Airdrie came back into the game, they were unable to properly test goalkeeper Robbie Thomson, playing his first game in nine months after returning from Achilles surgery.

Raith boss John McGlynn added: “There wasn’t a lot in it, but we got the goal early, and there’s a lot of time for Airdrie to get back in the game.

“We’ll play better but over 36 games there’s times where you’ll just have to grind it out and we did that.

“We defended quite well and professionally seen the game out.”