Laurie Ellis has had to put the brakes on his driving instructor career as he attempts to help steer Raith Rovers on the road to first division safety.
The Kirkcaldy side, which lost out to Dundee United in the Active Nations Scottish Cup on Sunday, are six points and three games in hand ahead of second-bottom Ayr.
Ellis and the rest of John McGlynn’s players are determined to secure vital points, starting tonight at Airdrie United.
“We knew going into the semi-final that United are a good side that are flying high at the moment, so it was going to be a big challenge for us,” he said.
“However, as a defender, I was annoyed with David Goodwillie’s opening goal.
“He is one of the best young strikers around but we had spoken before-hand about how he liked to attack down the channels.
“We were unhappy that we were unable to stop him although he did produce a stunning piece of magic to beat our goalie David McGurn.”
He added, “We certainly do not have time to feel sorry for ourselves as we have a gruelling league schedule, starting with a tough set of away games to overcome in a bid to ensure we are still in the first division next season.
“But I believe that, despite being defeated on Sunday, we can use the feel-good factor that surrounded the semi-final as a positive springboard for the league matches.
“We face eight games in 17 days, and while I think the authorities should have looked at extending the season, they wrote the rule book and we will just have to get on with it.” With such a demanding set of games to be completed, Ellis’ other “career” has had to take a back seat.
However, once the dust settles on this season, he believes some of his team-mates could benefit from his expertise.
“I am a qualified driving instructor but a combination of factors means I am not doing much teaching just now,” he said.
“I signed a full-time contract with Raith and I bought a new house, which required a lot of work, so I have really scaled back the driving lessons.
“I have not tutored any of the players at the club, but judging by their driving there are a few of them who could do with some lessons,” he laughed, adding, “However, I am not naming names.”Airdrie challengeThe first test of Raith’s resolve after the semi-final disappointment comes tonight at Airdrie United.
Kenny Black’s side sit bottom of the first division and look increasingly certain to go down.
Despite that, Ellis insists Raith can take nothing for granted against a team which they have already faced four times this season in the league and cup.
“The games against Airdrie have all been very tight,” he added. “They are a good side who unfortunately find themselves at the wrong end of the table.
“I know their manager Kenny Black very well from his time at Raith and he has them working very hard but they have maybe not had the rub of the green this season.
“Like us, they have a relatively small squad, which has hampered them.
“We know the two remaining matches we have against them will be really difficult challenges, but we are determined to win them starting on Wednesday night.”