Skacel has more to offer Rovers, says boss Locke

RAITH: Former Jambos hero’s experience will prove ‘invaluable’

Raith Rovers manager Gary Locke reckons there is plenty more to come from Rudi Skacel after handing the Hearts hero his first league start last weekend.

The 37-year-old returned to Scottish football in the summer to be reunited with his old coach but has had to be patient as he has sought to make an impact at Stark’s Park.

Locke said: “Rudi did well last weekend. He’s not played a lot of football and so he did tire, which is why we took him off. But I think you could see his quality.

“On another day he would have scored with the chance he had early on. It fell to his right foot and if it was on his left I’m pretty sure he would have scored.

“His experience is invaluable to the younger lads in the squad and I think he showed his qualities. Unfortunately he was a bit behind when he came and the two front lads were doing well.

“But I think the more he gets on the pitch the better he’ll get.”

At the other end of the field, Locke has insisted goalkeeper Kevin Cuthbert’s greater experience is behind his recall to the starting line-up.

The 34-year-old had been ruled out for five weeks with a troublesome dead leg and, with on-loan Aberdeen goalie Aaron Lennox subsequently sidelined with a hamstring injury, Locke was forced back into the transfer market to recruit former Kilmarnock youngster Conor Brennan.

Brennan played four times but conceded 10 goals in a shaky spell for Rovers and Locke opted to bring back Cuthbert for last weekend’s 3-2 win over Dumbarton.

Locke added: “I just felt that, although Conor did OK, we had lost a few goals. He’s young as well and I just felt the experience of Kevin was necessary last week. So, Kevin’s back in between the sticks.”