Extra spice added to Rovers’visit to the capital

RAITH ROVERS striker Greig Spence says having players with a point to prove will help the Kirkcaldy club produce a Scottish Cup upset over Hibs in the capital today.

While Rovers’ league form has not exactly set the heather on fire of late, the Stark’s Park squad will head to Easter Road feeling as if they have little to lose with most pundits expecting Terry Butcher’s men to see off their lower league opponents.

However, throw in the fact that there will be a few faces in the Rovers line-up with that extra incentive to perform — and it could well be a close encounter between the two sides in Edinburgh this afternoon.

Aside from the former Hearts players in the Raith squad — skipper Jason Thomson to name just one — who will be looking to put one over on Hibs for obvious reasons, fullback Callum Booth is on loan from Hibs and will be looking to show the home support what he can do.

Spence himself is similarly up for the cup and reckons he is the man who can end Rovers’ miserable recent run of five successive games without a goal.

“I played a bounce game against Berwick on Tuesday night, we won 5-1 and I scored a couple of goals, so it was good preparation for Saturday,” he said.

“I’ve been out injured for a month and I only came back to fitness a couple of weeks ago. So I’m chapping the door and believe I have goals to offer the team.”

Striker John Baird is cup tied after featuring for previous club Partick in the competition in the last round, while striker Calum Elliot — another player with a Tynecastle connection — is an injury doubt.