Jason up for Derby

Yogi`s Rovers will want points in their picnic baskets

Jason Talbot disagreed with any suggestion that Saturday`s Derby against the Rovers was bigger for the Kirkcaldy men. Albeit Dunfermline have a game in hand but they lie just two points above their Fife rivals who will clearly view the opportunity to leapfrog them into sixth place as a great incentive. Jason responded:-

“I can see why some people might say this is a bigger game for Raith, because they are in trouble. I’m not sure what the stats are, but you can see they are struggling. Whereas we have had decent results of late. But I think we answered any questions about motivation against Hibs. And there’s no doubt we’ll be up for a derby."

It is one big game after the other for Jason and his team mates - Hibs last week, Raith Rovers and then Falkirk at East End next on 22nd April, he continued:-

“Saturday was a massive result for us, and we could have won it at the end. Their keeper kept them in it. So we just need to take the positives from that game and push on towards another positive run.

“I think we have played well against the bigger teams, Falkirk aside. We have performed as a unit and had really positive displays, so we’ll look to rise to another big occasion. We didn’t turn up for a massive Derby against Falkirk, so hopefully we can put that one right in the Fife Derby."

Yogi Hughes was manager of Livingston from 14th February 2012 until 13th November of that year when he left to take over at Hartlepool United. So he was Jason`s boss for that time. The 31 year old Englishman recalled injury picked up at the end of the previous season kept him out for a large part of the 2012-2013 season:-

“My last game under John Hughes, lasted 23 minutes! I ruptured my knee. He had been in for a couple of weeks before that - but my first chance to impress ended like that. That’s obviously a regret, but sadly that is just part and parcel of football - you pick up bad injuries at the worst times - and you need to fight back.

“However, his training, and the experience of being around the club when he was in charge, was impressive. His passion, his love for the game and a desire to play attacking, entertaining football was really infectious. That’s what I took from him as a coach, I thought he was really good.

“He is very passionate and intense about wanting to play football - not the style of ‘lumping’ football, as he calls it - so I’m sure he’ll try to get his boys to attack, have a go and play against us."

Given that both sides would dearly like the points from this Fife Derby its quite possible that Raith Rovers will travel to West Fife to have a go:-.

“I hope that is the case because, to be honest, we play a lot better against sides that come here and try to come out and play. It’s a big park out there and hopefully we can exploit any gaps that are created if they come here to have a go.”

SPFL Development League
The SPFL U20s match v Dundee United that was re-arranged for Monday 10th April has been postponed. A new date will be agreed.

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