Raith Rovers’ John Baird insists the fear of failure has driven him on to become an integral part in John McGlynn’s promotion-chasing side.
Baird joined the Stark’s Park outfit in the summer and quickly formed a formidable striking partnership with Gregory Tade that has helped propel Raith to the top of the first division table.
But with two other strikers champing at the bit to take his place in the side, the former Airdrie man is determined not to rest on his laurels as Rovers prepare to face Ross County in Dingwall this Saturday.
“I am really enjoying my time at the club,” he said.
“It is great to be challenging at the top of the table. I also had a fine time at my previous club Airdrie but I spent 18 months there battling relegation.
“So, it is great to be up at the other end of the table.
“I have had a really good run in the team since I came to Stark’s Park, but I would not have signed for the club if I thought I would not get in the side.
“It is, of course, up to the manager who he selects but I just try to do as well as I can on the park and in training to ensure he cannot leave me out.
“Jamie Mole has gone back to Hearts after his loan spell but we still have Graham Weir and Gary Wales waiting to take their chance if myself or Gregory lose form.
“You have to constantly keep on your toes and play at a high standard I do not want to be one of the two sitting on the bench.
“Gregory and I seem to work well together. Some people say if must be difficult knowing what he is going to do next but I haven’t really found that.
“We have scored 13 goals between us so far this season which is a good return in this league.”
Baird was the provider as Tade scored the winner against Dunfermline two weeks ago at Stark’s Park.Crude attemptsThe former Airdrie man set off down the Raith left wing, shrugging off three crude attempts by Pars’ players to bring him down, before feeding a great pass into the path of his French striking partner who swept the ball home to clinch a famous victory.
That win was the perfect end to a run of three matches Raith completed after their enforced winter shutdown.
Now, Baird and the rest of the Rovers players are determined to continue with the winning habit in Dingwall.
“In the Dunfermline game, if I had been in the box, I probably would have gone down,” he smiled.
“But the ball was still within my reach despite all the bad challenges so I made the right decision to keep going and play the ball to Gregory who produced a great finish.
“We had played little football before Christmas and then we had three games on the bounce.
“If you had told us beforehand that we would pick up five points from away matches against an improving Partick Thistle and Falkirk, then at home against our biggest challengers Dunfermline, we would have taken that.
“That is now seven points we have taken off the Pars which is a great return and we have also picked up four against Falkirk.
“We now travel up to Dingwall to face Ross County. We are staying up there on the Friday night which shows the club’s commitment and professionalism.
“I do not have a great record at County I never won there during my time at Airdrie. But Raith Rovers do have a good record in Dingwall which is what counts.
“We were disappointed last week when our game against Stirling was called off as with Dunfermline involved in the Scottish Cup, we could have gone back top of the league.
“So we will travel up to Ross County, go about our business in the proper manner and hopefully secure the right result.”
Raith’s only injury doubt for the game is striker Wales who is struggling to shake off a nerve problem in his calf.