Play every game as if it is your last, insists Vaughan

Raith Rovers striker Lewis Vaughan insists he knows better than most to treat every game he plays as if it is his last.

The 23-year-old has only just returned from his second lengthy lay-off because of cruciate knee ligament damage.

It was an absence he admits tested him more mentally than physically this time round and helped put things firmly into perspective.

The Stark’s Park fans’ favourite had only just netted a memorable hat-trick against bitter rivals Dunfermline, earning a famous Scottish Cup triumph that came hot on the heels of penning a new contract.

One week on he was contemplating eight months on the sidelines after rupturing his ACL in the 2-1 defeat to Brechin City in January.

He said: “Within the space of seven days it was probably the best day of my career and the highest I’ve ever been and then the lowest and worst I had felt in my career.

“Football’s a cruel game at times and that’s the perfect example of it.

“I was buzzing from the hat-trick against Dunfermline, that’s what you’re in the game for, and then a week later it comes crashing down.

“So, you have to play every game as if it’s your last and not take anything for granted. I’ve definitely learned not to take anything for granted.

“With the first ACL I did, I found it a lot more physically hard and this time it’s been mentally harder, whether that’s been because of the previous experiences and knowing what to expect, physically, and knowing how to deal with it.

“But, having had a few long-term injuries, that takes its toll mentally and that’s a lot harder.

“So, I did a lot more work on the mental side of things and it’s definitely helped me since I’ve come back.

“Hopefully that will stand me in good stead in the season ahead.”

With Vaughan back in the side, making his first start in nearly eight months, Raith hammered Peterhead 4-0 last weekend, a week on from his comeback in the Challenge Cup victory over Falkirk.

But, with East Fife setting the pace at the top of League One and favourites Falkirk expected to be the main challengers after spending big in the summer, Vaughan knows there can be no let-up away to Airdrie this afternoon.

With Rovers second in the table, two points adrift of East Fife, he added: “We need to build on the last couple of games. The boys did well against Falkirk and we had a great result against Peterhead.

“Hopefully we can get a win against Airdrie and get some momentum going again.

“I feel if we perform to our best then I think we’ll have no problems.”