Manager on Thursday
Thursday, 17th Jan 2019Stevie Crawford’s Rovers Return
It is almost certainly a predictable coincidence that newly appointed managers are pitched against their former clubs in opening fixtures. Stevie Crawford is no different, hard on the heels of his first match in charge of Dunfermline Athletic against Dundee United, Stevie leads his team to Raith Rovers in his first Scottish Cup tie.
Stevie spent four seasons with the Starks Park club making over 125 appearances, winning the Scottish League Cup and playing in Europe. He told the media in his first Thursday press conference that he had great memories from Raith Rovers at that time.
“It’s something that probably some boys will never, ever experience in their careers, for a club that size and the togetherness we had is something I’m trying to replicate here.
“Getting my senior debut there was a special feeling, so the regard I have for that club will never leave me. Now, I’m sitting here as manager of my hometown club, where I’ve had a lot of decent memories playing.
“I know what the derby means to both clubs, and that will make it exciting. If you look at ticket sales, there’s going to be a big crowd and I’m sure there will be some rivalry there with the supporters. That’s only going to add to a great atmosphere on the day.
“It’s up to us to go through there, and first of all compete in the cup tie, and hopefully it will be a good advert for Fife football - with us sneaking it in the end. I always enjoyed the derby games and the Scottish Cup has a different feel as well. Sometimes it can be a nice release, but usually it’s only a nice release if you win the game.
“Everybody looks forward to the Scottish Cup, but if you end up losing the game then it becomes a low point. We’re very much focused on going to Raith Rovers to compete and to try to win the game.”
The Pars gaffer feels that the game will take care of itself. The emotion will definitely be there if its anything like the recent derby against Falkirk:-
“The boys went to Falkirk a couple of weeks ago, and that has a similar feel to it because of the rivalry, and they put on a really good performance. That’s the standard and application we’ll be looking for come Saturday.
“They’re just good games to look forward to. They’re competitive, the build-up to the games in both towns, the supporters look forward to them, and you’re looking for bragging rights on the Monday morning at work or at school. I’m aware of the consequences either way. If you win, it’s great, and if you lose it’s the opposite, but that’s the joys of a cup competition.”
The new management team have done their ‘homework’ on their opponents and concluded that it won’t be an easy game at all.
“I’ve looked at their home form and they’ve won seven, drawn three and lost one game. That right away makes you sit up and take notice of them. We’ve had them watched and I’ve spoken to people about them. The fact it’s a derby as well will make it even harder. We’ve got to go there and enjoy the experience and make sure we progress in the tournament.”
Asked about 19 year old striker Aidan Keena’s recall to his parent club, Stevie replied:-
“It’s something we’ll deal with. We need understood that getting him in on loan there was always the possibility that he could go back to Hearts. My take on that, is that part of the reason for coming to the club was to take the opportunity and to try to progress the player.
“I know speaking to Aidan he was very keen to stay but he’s been called back to Hearts and, albeit it’s frustrating that he’s moved on and to have played some part in his progression is satisfying.
“We’ll deal with it and it’s going to give the opportunity to the strikers who are here. The minute I came in, I said that everyone’s going to get a clean slate, so there’s going to be chances for someone at the weekend. At the moment, where we are at is Aidan has been called back and he’s Hearts’ player. Whether they decide they want to loan him out again is outwith our hands.”
Obviously with both Aidan and his team mate Malaury Martin leaving that creates space in squad and Stevie said that’s something he will address and look at with the chairman.
“We’ll be very much hands on and keeping our finger on the pulse with that. But we’ve got faith in the boys who are in the squad at the moment. Having lost Aidan, it means we might have to replace him in that area.
“Having monitored the squad this week, you can see the competition for places up front and there’s a wee spring gone into the strikers. Rightly so, because if it was me in there, and you saw someone going back to their parent club, you would want to catch the manager’s eye.”
Apart from being without those two on loan players, SC confirmed that he had available the same squad as last week.
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