Raith Rovers manager Grant Murray cannot wait to pit his wits against former mentor John McGlynn when they play Livingston tonight.
It is very much a case of master taking on the apprentice this evening as McGlynn, who spent almost six years at the Rovers helm, returns to Stark’s Park hoping to dent the Championship promotion challenge of the man he made captain during his time at Raith.
Murray and first-team coach Laurie Ellis could be forgiven for finding it odd to be in the opposing dugout from McGlynn in front of the Kirkcaldy crowd tonight, but Murray believes there is no room for sentiment when three crucial points are at stake.
“We’ve been looking forward to this one for a variety of reasons,” he told Courier Sport. “It will be the first time I’ve stood beside him in opposite dugouts, so it will be a strange one.
“We did at Laurie’s testimonial but this will be the first competitive game and we’re looking forward to it.
“John had a huge influence on my style as a manager. Bringing me here, giving me the opportunity to come and play here and then making me club captain, I think we were good for each other because he knew what he was getting.
“Obviously he got me on the coaching ladder side of things as well, and pushed myself and Laurie to go and do certain things and gave us the time off to do it. It’s certainly worked for me so far.”
The McGlynn effect has certainly paid dividends for Livingston, as the former Raith manager has masterminded a dramatic turnaround in fortunes for the West Lothian club.
Livingston have taken 13 of their 14 points since McGlynn took charge, and Livi moved up to fifth on Saturday by coming from behind to beat Dundee 2-1.
“He’s got Livingston playing well and he’s got them getting results, so we know that it will be a very difficult game,” Murray continued.
“Any game against Livingston is difficult with the players that they’ve got. They’ve got some very good players so we know we’ll need to be at our best if we want to take points.”
Rovers also go into the game on a high after their last-gasp 2-1 victory at home to Morton at the weekend a result which keeps them five points behind league leaders Hamilton with a game in hand.
“To score so late in the game to get the winner was an unbelievable feeling,” Murray added. “We knew it was going to be a difficult game against a Morton side who would have been hurting from losing five goals the week before, so I was just delighted to get the three points.
“We showed great character and spirit, and sometimes it takes a wee bit of spirit to win games of football.”
Tonight’s game has all the hallmarks of a cracker and, McGlynn’s return to Kirkcaldy aside, it has several elements which should add some spice.
Calum Elliot comes up against Livi for the first time since the transfer tug-of-war between the clubs in the summer, while Simon Mensing will be at the heart of the Livi defence and making his first appearance at Stark’s since his departure.
“I’m sure there will be a few opinions about how the game is going to go, but the only place that will be decided is on the pitch,” Murray noted. “I’ll let that take care of itself.”
Rovers were waiting to find out the true extent of goalkeeper David McGurn’s injury following his operation on a torn Achilles tendon.
McGurn was due to go for surgery at Glasgow’s Southern General Hospital and is expected to be out for at least 12 weeks, although that could well be longer depending on the damage caused.
The keeper, who was stretchered off near the end of the win against Morton, will be replaced by Ross Laidlaw this evening, while Rovers also have defender Dougie Hill back from suspension.
However, he may have to be content with a spot on the bench after Paul Watson’s performance at the weekend.