Robertson eager to repay Raith faith
Scott Robertson is adamant the faith and loyalty shown by Raith Rovers salvaged his career.
Now the Stark’s Park veteran is determined to repay his debt of gratitude by ensuring the Fife club return to the Championship at the first time of asking.
Robertson, 32, candidly concedes that last season was a ‘disaster’ – for the club and for him personally.
Rovers crashed to relegation under the dismal reign of John Hughes, while a debilitating groin injury effectively wiped out his entire season campaign.
He made two appearances in August before being sidelined and, when Robertson did return to the fold following NINE MONTHS out for the play- off against Brechin City, he missed a penalty in the shoot- out which condemned Raith to life in League 1.
Robertson knew many clubs would have subsequently severed ties at the end of his contract. Instead, he was handed a new deal, given coaching responsibilities and charged with leading a revitalised Rovers to promotion.
“Raith are probably the only reason I am still playing football,” Robertson explained. “With the way last season went with my injury, I’m not sure anyone would have taken a chance on me in the summer. That could have been that.
“I barely played at all last season, so to be offered a new deal was quite remarkable actually and an amazing gesture from them. Football clubs are businesses, and challenging businesses when all is said and done – and they would have been well within their rights to let me go. There isn’t a lot of loyalty towards players in the game.
“But, that’s isn’t the case here. The right people saw the work I put in behind the scenes, fighting to recover and helping with coaching the under- 20s alongside ( head of youth development) Craig Easton and saw what kind of person I am.
“I think that went a long way towards Raith wanting to keep me and I’ll always appreciate that. I’d like to think I’ve grasped that opportunity and they have almost seen the best of me this season.”
East Fife cross the Kingdom this evening, with the encounter being broadcast live on BBC Alba.