Davidson says Rovers need to ‘get dirty’ for successful campaign

Iain Davidson has warned Raith Rovers they need to “get dirty” if they are to enjoy success in the Championship this season.

The Stark’s Park side have impressed with a free-flowing attacking style that saw them flying high in second spot in the table following last weekend’s win over Dundee.

But the Kirkcaldy outfit slumped to a demoralising 4-1 defeat to Dunfermline in midweek to crash back to earth with a bump.

Davidson admits Rovers failed to adapt their gameplan to the rigours of the Fife derby and admits they will have to be prepared for another battle away to Morton this afternoon.

The experienced defender said: “Wednesday wasn’t the ideal game to lose, especially with it being the Fife derby.

“There wasn’t much in the first half but in the second half we were second best and got what we deserved.

“We’ve done the video analysis and we realise that in derby matches if you don’t do the dirty side you’re going to get punished. Dunfermline did that better than us.

“It’s the time of year where grass pitches are struggling due to the climate, so it’s not going to be a great footballing surface down at Morton.

“But it is what it is and we just need to adapt to it and adjust.

“We do have a young squad and something we spoke about after the Dunfermline games was the need to adapt.

“We are a very, very good footballing team, one of the better ones at doing it in Scotland. That’s just a fact.

“But there are plenty other ways of playing football in an effective way, there are loads of different ways of winning football matches.

“So, it’s up to us to adjust. This weekend might be another case of that. It’s not going to be pretty, it could be a case of roll the sleeves up and work hard.”

Raith hammered Morton 5-0 with a swashbuckling display back in November – a match that saw Davidson pick up a thigh injury that ruled him out for almost three months.

But, having completed his first 90 minutes since October 31 at East End Park on Wednesday night, the 37-year-old is desperate for John McGlynn’s side to prove their resilience.

He added: “We’ve got to give Morton the respect they’re due. We’re only a few points ahead of them and there’s never much between all the teams in this league. But we’re looking to bounce back after the defeat.”