First team

Match Preview - Raith Rovers

23/05/2024

By Peter Mackay

After two agonisingly close misses to reaching our target of finishing tenth, it is time for the Staggies to take their place in the Premiership Play-off final for the second year in a row.

On Thursday evening, Don Cowie’s Staggies travel to Kirkcaldy to face Championship runners-up Raith Rovers.

The match kicks off at 8PM.

On Sunday, Ian Murray’s men make the trip north for an early second-leg kick-off at 12:00PM.

Both of these matches are live on Sky Sports.

Raith Rovers

The Fife side have had a magnificent season, and came ever so close to the Championship, with Dundee United pipping them to the title.

Rovers overcame last year's play-off side, Partick Thistle. They won the first leg 2-1, and lost the second leg 2-1. A huge 4-3 win on penalties was what it took to send them into this tie.

Murray’s side only lost seven matches in their league campaign this season, winning a whopping 20 and drawing a further nine.

They are in a rich vein of form, and it will be no surprise to hear that they are full of confidence heading into this one.

Player to Watch

A man with an inspirational story has been firing on all cylinders in Kirkcaldy this season. Lewis Vaughan, who has been plagued by serious injuries throughout his career, has had an amazing season in front of goal.

The 28-year-old has bagged 19 goals this season, as well as laying on seven assists.

He is regarded as a hero at Starks Park and will be ever-so eager to lead his team into the Scottish Premiership.

Ross County

As aforementioned, this is not the Staggies first dance with the play-offs. Last season, if you have somehow forgotten, we were involved in one of the craziest ties in playoff history.

We defeated Partick Thistle on penalties after goals from Yan Dhanda, Simon Murray and George Harmon drew us level after being three goals down.

Of course, no one at the club wanted us to be back in this stressful position, but you can guarantee that interim gaffer and Ross County legend Don Cowie will make sure he has his squad as prepared as possible heading into this one.

We enter this match off the back of some decent form, unbeaten in our last two after drawing 1-1 with St Johnstone and 2-2 with Aberdeen. Despite these results not being enough to finish tenth points wise, we can take much heart from the displays.

All the Ross County fans will be sincerely hopeful that we can maintain our Premiership status despite heading into what will be an inevitably tricky tie.

Player to Watch

Top scorer for the club this season, Simon Murray has been on incredible form throughout the campaign – and added another incredible goal to his name on Sunday.

He has smashed the back of the net 21 times this season, including perfect finishes in our last matches against Motherwell and then Aberdeen.

Not only is Simon deadly in front of goal, he is one of the hardest-working players in the league, constantly charging after the ball and defenders. The former Queens Park striker is never afraid to put himself about and get stuck in with the uglier side of the game.

Murray has formed a strong connection with Yan Dhanda this season, and hopefully, we will see more goals forming from their strong partnership in attacking areas on Wednesday.

As well as goals, Murray can also turn provider, having laid up five assists for his teammates this season.

Previous Encounters

The Staggies have not faced Raith Rovers since all the way back in 2018 in a second-round challenge cup tie. The Countyran out five nil victors that day.

County generally has a good overall record against the Rovers, despite not playing much at all in recent times.

The Dingwall side has won 18 out of 37 matches played.

Familiar Faces

Current Raith Rovers players Josh Mullin and Keith Watson both had great success at Ross County.

Kyle Turner is on loan to Raith Rovers from Ross County.

Current Staggies Ross Callachan and Ross Laidlaw had spellsin Kirkcaldy.

Ross County legend Richard Brittain also played for Rovers.

Refereeing Team

John Beaton

AR1: David McGeachie

AR2: Dougie Potter

Fourth Official: Matthew MacDermid