New Raith boss Ray McKinnon admits he is determined to help the club finish as high up the Championship table as possible next season but he also stressed he will not be setting any “ridiculous” targets.
The former Dundee United, Nottingham Forest and Aberdeen midfielder, who was formally unveiled at Stark’s Park yesterday, had agreed terms with Rovers last week.
However, he had also said “yes” to an interview for the vacant St Mirren manager post, a commitment which he honoured.
McKinnon though insists he was always determined to take over at Rovers and will start work straight away with preparations for next season.
He said: “I’m looking forward to the challenge ahead.
“Everything was agreed last week, the terms and conditions, but there was a wee delay with St Mirren. There was nothing to it, really it was just a distraction.
“I was committed to the interview prior to agreeing terms with Raith. I followed through with the interview, and I am now the Raith Rovers manager. I am delighted and excited about that.
“The aim is the same as at any other club or the same as any other manager and that is to do the best you can.
“You want to finish as high as you possibly can. I’m not going to make any ridiculous targets I’ve never done that and I never will.
“We’ll see how we go and hopefully we can put together a strong enough squad to do well in the Championship.
“As I said, we’ll not be making ridiculous statements about winning the league or winning the Scottish Cup and getting into Europe.
“I’m only in the door two minutes!
“But I’m ambitious, the club’s ambitious, so if we can marry those two and put the right type of player out onto that park then hopefully we can do the best we can.”
McKinnon was previously manager at Brechin City and when asked if it was tough leaving the Angus club, he said: “It was. I had built a great relationship there with the board and the fans. We had put together a really decent team and it’s always a wrench to leave a place where you’ve got fond memories.
“But the people at the club are delighted to see me moving in the right direction, which I have. I’ve fond memories but we move on and I’m delighted to be here.
“I’ve started at Raith and started planning for next season.
“I’m meeting players this afternoon, so I’m right into the job this minute.
“At the moment we have 15 players under contract but that includes a lot of young players.
“But there are a lot of players out there who I haven’t spoken to who are out of contract so, it’s important I have meetings with them.”
Raith legend Laurie Ellis will remain as a coach at the club although McKinnon hasn’t decided on the rest of his back-room team yet.
However, he will be turning to Ellis for advice on the current squad.
He said: “I’ll take Laurie’s counsel on players and other people. We’ve got DVDs and I’ve got a good idea about the players anyway. I know most of the players.
“There’s no panic but we certainly want to get started and get recruiting.”