Raith Rovers are facing an injury crisis ahead of their Active Nation Scottish Cup semi-final against Dundee United on Sunday.
John McGlynn’s side took care of vital league business on Wednesday night when they beat Ayr 2-1 to ease further away from the relegation play-off spot but the victory came at a price.
The Stark’s Park boss revealed that some of his squad selflessly played through the pain barrier to help secure the points, even though they knew they could be putting their chances of playing in the glamour cup game at risk.
“All our focus has been on the league games as our long-term aim is to be in the first division next season,” he said.
“So, it was only at ten o’clock on Wednesday evening, when everything was done and dusted at Ayr, that we could say, ‘Let’s look forward to the weekend.’
“I have to admit that the players’ commitment was magnificent.
“There were guys going on to the park who were not 100% who could have said, ‘Look, if I play tonight, then I might not make it for Sunday and the biggest game of my career.’
“Instead, they were all desperate to play at Ayr and never shirked a tackle.
“There is an incredible spirit within the squad and something there which is a bit special not Barcelona special but the fact that they will work for one another and grind out results against the odds.
“In an ideal world, I would have liked a free week before the semi-final but we will prepare as well as we can and give it our best shot.
“However, we had to take three guys off at Ayr with niggling injuries Iain Williamson, Graham Weir and Dougie Hill which is not ideal at all.
“They are all going to have treatment right up to the last minute.
“David Armstrong did not play at Ayr because of a dead leg while Dene Shields had a sickness bug the night before so he was out of the equation as well.
“They will also be given every chance to prove their fitness but we do have a number of guys who are fatiguing and carrying injuries.”Reversal of fortunesMcGlynn has masterminded a remarkable change of fortune since he took charge at Raith.
While he has done so on a shoestring budget, he revealed that if the club do manage to negotiate past Dundee United to a lucrative final, he has a special request to make of chairman Dave Somerville.
“We were never going to throw big sums of money at it when I came here, so it was the wee things we had to change,” he said.
“For instance, the training balls were what we would call ‘tatties’ so we got better ones.
“We also tried to secure better facilities to train on and the changing-rooms at the stadium were not |hygienic enough so needed a good clean.
“Even wee bits and pieces like giving the players wine gums and jelly-babies make people feel more important without having to spend a lot.
“But if we did manage to get through to the final, then I think I might ask the chairman to stretch to getting us a new minibus.
“The present one is in such a state that when it rains, the players get a shower before they make it back to the ground as there is so much water coming through the roof!” he said.
Thousands of Raith supporters are travelling to Glasgow for the game — but McGlynn revealed that there is one high-profile fan who might miss out as he has the small matter of a general election to contest.
“I received a letter from the prime minister a couple of weeks ago complimenting us on what we have achieved up until now and wishing us good luck for the semi-final,” he added.
“I am not sure if he will be there at Hampden but I am certain he will be rooting for us.
“He is a big fan of the football club and in his younger days sold programmes here.
“It is great to have someone in such a high-profile job with connections to Raith.”