John Hughes launches scathing attack on Raith Rovers players

RAITH: Hughes launches scathing attack on Stark’s Park players

Raith Rovers boss John Hughes insists he is facing the toughest challenge of his managerial career after questioning the character and quality of his players.

The Fifers slumped to a miserable 4-0 defeat against Dumbarton on Saturday to send them deeper into a Championship relegation battle, with Hughes’ “fragile” charges now just four points above ninth-placed Ayr United.

Rovers’ dismal display against the Sons brought them crashing back to earth after their first win in 17 games just three days earlier against St Mirren.

Hughes pulled no punches in the assessment of his players, and what will be required to climb the Championship.

He said: “This is the hardest challenge I’ve had, because I’m honest enough to say I don’t think we have great footballers at the club and I don’t think we can look after the ball well, so we won’t dominate possession

“I understand that, but that’s not to say that we shouldn’t be solid, with everyone doing their jobs, fit and organised. I don’t know what tune they are playing to – if they play to mine, we’ll be fine. If they play to their own, we’re in trouble.

“I think one or two turned up against Dumbarton and didn’t fancy it. You cannot do that, you can’t turn it on and off. Going there, seeing the rain and the pitch, I thought ‘We’ll see what these boys are about’. I got my answer and now I know why we are where we are.

“It’s 100% about character but you don’t want to tell them that because they are fragile. Maybe we don’t have enough character in the dressing room. But we’ve got what we’ve got, and we need to take a few home truths on the chin and use it to make us better.

“I don’t think we’re a great football team. Our top scorer has four goals so we’re not a free-scoring team.

“I’m trying to guide them and help them out, but some of them need to look at their performances, that’s for sure. I’m not asking them to be great on the ball, I’m asking them to go toe-to-toe with their opponent and win the battle.”

Rovers’ trip to face leaders Hibs on Saturday April 22 has been put back to Wednesday April 26 due to the Easter Road side’s Scottish Cup semi-final.

Picture: SNS. John Hughes: facing his “hardest challenge” as a manager.