‘Great team spirit’ key to Rovers’ fantastic start to Championship life

Paul Smith has saluted Raith Rovers’ team spirit and character after their impressive return to the Championship.

After three years languishing in League One, the Kirkcaldy outfit have made a big impact since their controversial promotion in the summer.

Victories over Arbroath and Queen of the South sent Rovers to face title prospects Dundee full of confidence last weekend and they maintained their unbeaten run by snatching a 1-1 draw late on at Dens Park.

The point has further buoyed belief at Stark’s Park ahead of today’s visit of Morton.

However, with manager John Mc G l y n n still recovering from surgery, Smith has warned Rovers they face another huge challenge against a team brimming with confidence of their own following their stunning 3-2 victory over Ayr United last weekend.

He said: “We’re delighted with the start we’ve made, with two wins and a draw, but to go up to Dundee and get a point was fantastic, especially coming back from 1-0 down.

“We showed good character. We’ve got great team spirit in there just now and we were well justified in getting a point after our performance in the last 25 minutes.

“It will be a very difficult game against Mor ton. There won’t be any easy games in the Championship this year; we’re expecting any anyway.

“A lot of teams, apart from Hearts and possibly Dundee, are very evenly matched and we expect every game, home and away, to be very tough.

“I’m not expecting anything else from this weekend’s game.”

Raith have doubts over the fitness of striker Manny Duku, who missed the encounter with Dundee with a hamstring problem, while defenders Kieran Ma c D o n a l d and Iain Davidson both had to be substituted at Dens Park with similar injuries.

Ve r s a t i l e defender Frankie Musonda could make his first start for the club after bagging the late equaliser against Dundee. not