RAITH ROVERS boss John McGlynn has challenged key members of his squad to stand up and be counted as the club continues to prepare for life in the first division, writes Neil Robertson.

McGlynn issued his rallying call for strong leadership after Marvin Andrews confirmed he would definitely not be returning to Stark’s Park.

“Marvin has advised us he won’t be signing to Raith Rovers again,” said McGlynn.

“It looks like he’ll be playing in the SPL instead.

“It will be very difficult to replace someone of his calibre and stature.

“In fact that’s something you couldn’t do because there aren’t many players with these qualities going around.

“But we will do the best we can. I’d be laying the groundwork just in case Marvin wasn’t returning here. Now we’ll look to move positively on these preparations and try to get someone in.

“Whatever happens on that front, though, I’m looking for some of the guys here to come to the fore as far as providing leadership is concerned.

“The likes of Stephen Simmons is no longer a boy and he needs to take on more responsibility.

“Iain Davidson also has to step up now that Marvin and other senior players such as Todd Lumsden and Steven Hislop have moved on.”

However McGlynn tried to allay the fears of supporters that losing senior core members of the team would hinder them on their return to the first division.

“We are trying to build a team with legs in it, with mobility and hopefully pace,” he said.

“You are going to need experience, of course you are. Upstairs, these guys can be one or two steps ahead owing to their reading of the game.

“But then, there’s a gamble bringing in older players, especially to a small squad—and we’ve not had much luck in that area.

“The ones we’ve had have tended to pick up injuries, and experienced guys sitting in the stand aren’t much use to us.

“So, the emphasis for us is to ally fitness with organisation and get a hungry team in their mid-20s.”

And that element of hunger is apparent as McGlynn’s team prepare for their first competitive action of the summer.

“The boys are sick of pre-season training and dying to play,” he added.

“After Airdrie on Saturday we’ve Norwich City next Tuesday night, which will be a good test.”

There is a possibility Rovers will involve trialists in the two games, but there will definitely be no place for Joe Dunbar, who walked out midway through last season and remains on the transfer list.

Meanwhile, Rovers midfielder Robert Sloan is set to miss Saturday’s friendly match against Airdrie after sustaining a calf injury in pre-season training.

And Raith have confirmed that a small allocation of tickets has been granted to supporters wishing to travel to Bayview for the club’s first round CIS Insurance Cup match against East Fife next month, writes Jonathan Watson.

Preference will be given to season ticket holders, with sales taking place at the Stark’s Park office on Sunday between noon and 2pm and on Monday from 5-7pm.

The club has reminded fans that sales will be on the basis of one ticket per voucher from the season ticket book and that any tickets remaining after these dates will be put on general sale.