Rovers coaching role for keeper Thomson

Robbie Thomson is to become Raith Rovers’ goalkeeping coach at the age of just 28 after penning a new two-year deal.

The former Celtic, Hamilton Accies, Queen of the South and Falkirk keeper, who has been joined by injured defender Dave Mckay in agreeing a contract extension, will next season compete with Jamie Macdonald for the number one spot at Rovers – at the same time as coaching his older team-mate.

The decision to return to a wholly fulltime structure from the current hybrid set-up means part-time goalie coach David Mcgurn will leave at the end of the campaign to concentrate on his fulltime post as a lecturer.

Thomson, who celebrates his 28th birthday this weekend, has his own coaching academy.

Manager John Mcglynn said: “The fact the club’s going fulltime, Davie can’t commit to that because he’s got a good job.

“We understand that, it gives him much more long-term security.

“But Robbie is very much down the road of becoming a goalkeeping coach. He likes that side of it and he can tick two boxes – he can be fighting Jamie Macdonald for the number one jersey but at the same time giving the club a good goalkeeping coach.”

Mckay has been sidelined for more than a year because of a cruciate knee ligament injury and, with the pandemic delaying surgery until August, is not expected to play again until next season.

But Mcglynn has praised the Stark’s Park club for handing the defender a new oneyear deal to ensure his short-term future is safe.

He added: “The club’s looking after their players by giving Dave a contract.”