The importance of good cup runs for a club like Raith Rovers is increasing by the season, according to boss John McGlynn.
There was a well-publicised bout of cuts at Stark’s Park this summer and McGlynn knows one of the best ways to help balance the books over the coming months will be to go deep into one or both of the national knockout competitions.
Raith travel to face Second Division Airdrie this evening in the Scottish Communities League Cup and the Kirkcaldy boss wants to be in the draw when the Old Firm enter the fray in the next round.
“We’re really keen to get through tomorrow,” he said. “It would be great to be in with the big boys. We all know how much the cups mean to the finances of the smaller clubs in Scotland.
“Every year it seem like that money becomes more and more important. We need to compensate for the drop in crowds in the league and all clubs are the same. But myself and the players can only concentrate on the football side of things. That’s the only thing we’ve got any control over.”
McGlynn expects a tough examination in Lanarkshire. “They’re a well-organised and experienced team. We’ll have to be at our best to progress and hopefully we’ll show all the qualities needed in a game like this.”
He praised the performance at the weekend of on-loan St Johnstone striker Stephen Reynolds, who scored in the draw with Morton.
“He’s done really well in training and was biding his time for his chance, which came when Brian Graham took ill. He took his goal very well and he’ll certainly have a big part to play for us over the rest of the season.”
The Rovers players were put through a light training session on Sunday, which Graham took some part in, but McGlynn pointed out it’s far from a certainty that he’ll be available.
Long-term injury victim Iain Davidson will definitely miss out, while Iain Williamson is also suffering from knee trouble and could be sidelined. The Diamonds will be missing injured Graeme Goodall and Ally Woodburn.