Raith Rovers manager John McGlynn reckons striker John Baird is more than capable of having a fruitful time in front of goal for his new club this season.
The 24-year-old earned himself the man of the match champagne in Saturday’s 4-1 Co-op Cup win over East Fife and capped a fine performance by netting Rovers’ third of the contest.
With Baird already forming an apparently promising partnership with fan favourite Gregory Tade, McGlynn will be looking for all of his strikers to chip in with goals as the season progresses.
“John Baird’s all-round performance was first class,” McGlynn said.
“He took his goal well and he could probably have had one or two more goals but his all-round link-up play was great.
“He played for the team, worked his socks off and he’s got all the characteristics of what I look for in a player, particularly in a striker.
“I’m sure he’s delighted to get his goal, I’m sure Gregory Tade was delighted to get his two goals and you’ve got Jamie Mole coming off the bench and getting his goal.
“You’ve got three strikers scoring four goals, so that’s great.”
Baird himself was pleased to get on the scoresheet and believes he has settled into life at Stark’s Park well.
“Everything’s been spot on and I can’t ask for any more,” he said.
“As long as the manager’s happy that’s all that counts.”
The forward has also been satisfied with the way he has fitted into the team, particularly in terms of forming a partnership with Tade in pre-season and on Saturday.
“Gregory’s a very unselfish striker whereas I’m a bit more selfish and I want to score goals,” he added.
“It’s really good playing with him-he works his socks off, he runs the channels and he just doesn’t stop running.”