Damian Casalinuovo reckons the Raith Rovers fans are the warmest he’s ever encountered — but he’s still hoping for the chance to kill off their Active Nation Scottish Cup dream.
Casalinuovo is facing at least a fortnight out after damaging a hamstring against Rangers.
But he’s praying his team-mates can win next week’s quarter-final replay and set up a clash with first division Rovers, where he spent a month on loan earlier this season, as he’d love to feature in a semi against Raith.
“It looks like being a couple of weeks before I can play again.
“I felt the hamstring pull and now it is really tight.
“This is disappointing, especially when I wasn’t meant to be playing at Ibrox.
“I only started because David Goodwillie had taken ill the night before and then to get hurt in the first minutes was not nice.
“But I am targeting the semi-final and hoping the boys can get through to face Raith Rovers.
“Raith are a very good club with fantastic supporters.
“We were getting on the bus to go to Glasgow on Saturday as the Rovers fans were heading up the road to Dens Park.
“Although I only played three games for them they recognised me and were shouting to me.
“They were all very kind and very friendly.
“In one way I’d rather we would be facing someone else in the semis if we get there.
“But I won’t hesitate to help beat them, even though I am so pleased for Raith to have got to the semi-final.
“The guys there play with such heart and work incredibly hard.
“Some of the players are only part time. They work all day and train at night.
“And those sessions are tough. I am full-time and I found the training really, really hard.
“I don’t know how they could handle that after doing a day’s work.”