Raith boss taking extra care during busy spell

RAITH ROVERS manager Grant Murray has admitted he is set to wrap his players in cotton wool to avoid two gruelling games in the space of four days taking their toll.

After enduring a battling 2-1 league victory over Falkirk on Saturday, Murray revealed his players had been left shattered after needing 120 minutes to see off Airdrie United in the Scottish Cup on Tuesday night – although he reckons a spell of rest and relaxation will see his charges ready and raring to go for Saturday’s visit of Dunfermline.

“It’s one of these things where it’s time to pamper the football players – a lot of people say they get pampered enough but I’ll definitely look after them,” the Raith player/ boss said.

“I’ve been in that position before and sometimes it takes its toll on you.

“The size of squad we’ve got, you’ve got to look after everyone and make sure everyone is ready for Saturday.

“It was a physical game againstAirdrie, it was an end-to-end game and the pitches are starting to get soft and hold a bit of water, so it takes that bit extra out of the legs as well, but the guys are professional enough to look after themselves and know what they need as they recover.

“So I’ll give them everything they want to help them along to make sure they are prepared for Saturday.

“Saturday will take care of itself. We’ve been involved in big games like that and obviously had a previous midweek game.

“We know we have to dig deep for these games but I’m sure the adrenaline will be there.

“It’s a big enough game to take care of itself.”

Murray was relieved more than anything to see his team book a home Scottish Cup fourth round tie against Deveronvale courtesy of their 4-3 extra time win over the Diamonds although he admitted it was a bit too close for comfort.

Rovers battled back from an early goal to lead 2-1 and 3-2 in the tie, but late Airdrie goals in both halves forced the fixture into extra time – with a deflected Dougie Hill header in the 99th minute eventually getting the job done.

Murray said: “It was a typical Scottish Cup tie with plenty of goals, plenty of mistakes, plenty of effort, plenty tired legs and it was end to end, but the main thing is we’re in the next round of the cup.

“It’s credit to the guys, especially with the effort they put in.

“We were obviously disappointed to lose three goals but the character’s there and I’m confident that, no matter what team I put out on the pitch at this moment in time, we’re going to score goals, which is a huge pleasing factor.

“Obviously you don’t want to lose goals and it was about scoring more goals than the other team, which is what we did.

“It worked for us in the first game, scoring so late on, and it swung round in Airdrie’s favour getting a leveller.

“It gave them a huge lift going in at half time and then for us to lose another one so late was disappointing but the boys dug deep.”

While Rovers will have striker Brian Graham back available from suspension on Saturday, Murray hinted that Ross Laidlaw may have to deputise yet again for David McGurn, who is continuing to struggle with a rib injury.

“David hasn’t trained much so it might be a wee bit early for him,” he went on.

“If he trains onThursday night, hopefully he doesn’t feel it, but I think it will be too soon.”

On-loan Hearts winger David Smith should be available after returning from Scotland under-21 duty.

Grant Murray — looking forward to a busy couple of weeks.