Cup low left Sam hungry
Sam Stanton’s American dream was quashed by Covid – now he wants to kickstart his career with cup glory at Raith Rovers.
Former Hibs and Dundee United ace Stanton was poised for the USL Championship final with Phoenix Rising in 2020.
But like so many events it was cancelled due to an outbreak of the virus among the opposition.
It left Stanton frustrated but nursing a deep desire to make a name for himself on the cup stage.
Stanton had a spell in Ireland with Dundalk before returning home to Scotland with Raith Rovers early in the new year.
Ian Murray’s side need a two-goal win at Pittodrie today to progress to the next round of the Premier Sports Cup.
Stanton knows it’s an uphill task but has an added incentive to try to upset the odds. He said: “It
would have been great to have played the USL Championship final.
“We had just won the Western Conference League and everyone was naturally buzzing.
“It was a welcome d i s t r a c t ion after everything people were going through at that time but it just wasn’t to be.
“When something like that happens, it gives you an extra motivation to aim as high as possible.”
Raith dumped the Dons out of thi s same competition 2-1 in the second round at Stark’s Park last August.
Stanton said: “It proves it can be done, albeit this tie is at Pittodrie and they will be favourites.
“We will give it our best shot. It would be nice to make a name for ourselves against Aberdeen again, so the lads know what’s potentially at stake.
“We need to believe in ourselves.”