Kyle Turner is convinced Raith Rovers can help him erase his ‘heartbreak’ from last season’s last-gasp promotion failure.
Turner, who has joined on loan from Ross County, starred as Partick Thistle came within a whisker of reaching the Premiership.
The Jags were just moments away from going all the way in the play-offs – only to be left crestfallen following a gut-wrenching penalty shoot-out.
Leading 3–0 on aggregate against Ross County with just 20 minutes remaining, Thistle conceded twice inside a minute to give the Staggies hope.
Then a George Harmon strike in the 91st minute sent the see-saw tie into extra-time and eventually the spot-kicks decider.
County prevailed to deny Turner and his team-mates in the cruellest of fashions.
But, having also lost a play-off final on loan to Ian Murray’s Airdrie in 2021, Turner is determined to make it third time lucky as he sets his sights on promotion with Rovers.
He said: “I’m looking forward to it. I played under the gaffer before when I was on loan at Airdrie, and it was something I was keen to do again.
“Seeing how well Raith were doing, that was why I wanted to come here and carry it on, and see where it takes us.
Plan
“I know the play-offs are tough. Especially with Partick last season, we finished fourth and had those extra two games.
“I don’t think anyone from fourth has been promoted and it’s much tougher for the teams that finish third or fourth.
“But you saw last season that it nearly is doable.
“You just need to make sure you’re in the play-offs to start with. That’s our plan.
“But we’ll try to stay up the top of the league for as long as we can. It’s football. You never know what can happen.”
Turning his thoughts to the play-off final with Thistle, he went on: “I would say, for sure, that was the lowest point in my career at the end of last season.
“At that point in time, we had a three-goal difference and just 20 minutes to go.
“It just shows you what football’s about and how much you need to be on your game.
“Because in those 20 minutes they scored three goals and then we lose in the lottery of penalties. It was heartbreaking.
Tough
“It just shows you how tough it is.”
With game-time seemingly limited under Derek Adams at County, Turner was eager to get back to enjoying his football again.
He is certain that will happen under Murray at Raith.
The pair spent two months working together towards the end of season 2020-21 and Turner has hailed the Stark’s Park manager’s approach to the game.
Speaking as he prepares for a debut against Queen’s Park, he added: “I spoke to the gaffer before coming and he just wanted to get me in.
“He said the way I play suits his style and that was why I wanted to come here.
“He gives you that freedom to go and get on the ball and make things happen, and that’s what I plan to do.
“We did really well under the gaffer at Airdrie. We got to the play-off final and he just told us to go and play and get on the ball.
‘Crunch time’
“The good thing is, he gives you a freedom. If you make a mistake, he says ‘don’t worry about it. Just go again’.
“That’s what I like to play under.
“I like to get the ball down and pass and play. And get the ball forward and try to get some goals and assists.
“This is the crunch time where you have to pick up wins.
“But we know how tough that is in the Championship and we need to start that on Saturday against Queen’s Park.”
