McKinnon asks fans to roar Rovers on

Raith boss Ray McKinnon has issued a rallying call to the club’s fans ahead of tomorrow night’s Ladbrokes Premiership quarterfinal first-leg play-off against Hibs, writes Neil Robertson.

Although the game is at Stark’s Park, big-budget Hibs will start as favourites against Rovers.

However, McKinnon’s men have put together an incredible 11-game unbeaten run in recent weeks and the manager is hoping that a large vocal home support can give his side an edge against Alan Stubbs’ outfit.

He said: “It would be great if they came out to give the boys their backing.

“The lads have had a fantastic season and probably deserve to get the support of the Kirkcaldy public. Hopefully they will come out in their numbers.

“Equally, we hope Hibs bring a big crowd through as well to make it a really good atmosphere.

“All in all, it should be a great night.

“We will have no pressure on us, no expectation. We will be playing against a team that has made it to two cup finals this year and has beaten numerous Premiership teams.

“They have proven their quality over the season so we know it will be a tough game but, equally, we are in great form and I have a lot of winners in my team just now so they should be a cracking two games.”

Rovers’ latest victory came on Sunday at Livingston and while there were a couple of injury scares, McKinnon should have a full squad to choose from for tomorrow’s game.

He added: “Craig Barr picked up a head knock against Livingston but he should be fine while James Craigen cricked his neck in training and is off to see a chiropractor but again he should be all right for Wednesday.

“Louis Longridge came off as a precaution after getting a bang on his knee and Mark Stewart got 45 minutes under his belt which was good.

“We will also have Kyle Benedictus back from suspension so I am pleased with the squad going into Wednesday.”

McKinnon has rotated his roster to great effect in recent weeks but insists he has already settled on who should play against Hibs with just a couple of late decisions to be made.

He said: “I have had a team in my head for about three weeks now. It didn’t matter who the opposition were going to be.

“I probably have two decisions to make going into the game but that is it.

“Hibs have also changed it in the last couple of games. They are obviously trying to freshen it up as well.

“To be fair, it is hard to call how they are going to set up as well.

“They might come with a diamond, they might play a 4-4-2 or go with a three. But we will have a fair idea as soon as we see their team.

“We have played them five times this season and we know their players inside out.

“But it is hard to predict. For them it is the first leg away from home so does he come at us, being really offensive and potentially lose the game or does he set up more defensively?

“It is a hard one but I think it is going to be an advantage playing at home first.

“If we take anything out of the game, I think the pressure will be on them massively at Easter Road.

“So even a draw at home, we would take as that would put the onus on them to come out a bit more.

“So it is very interesting.”

Craig Barr: should be OK despite head knock.