For someone who has a tattoo of his musical hero Frank Sinatra on his arm, it is apt that Ross Callachan is determined to get to the Premiership “my way”.
The 23-year-old Raith midfielder’s mum and dad were big fans of Ol’ Blue Eyes and he grew up listening to the famous crooner’s music.
Callachan has certainly been on song so far this season being an ever-present in Gary Locke’s side.
His performances have not gone unnoticed elsewhere with clubs from down south as well as sides from the top tier in Scotland sending scouts to watch the player.
However, Callachan, who signed a contract extension with the Kirkcaldy club last week, is determined that when he does play in the Premiership, it will be after promotion with Rovers.
Callachan who will travel with the rest of the Raith squad to play Dumbarton this afternoon, said: “I was delighted to sign a new deal. There were other clubs interested but I am just looking to have another good year at Raith and try to push on from there.
“It is good for your confidence when other teams come to watch you.
“You must be playing well for that to happen.
“I am not sure who they were as my agent deals with all that.
“I just have to keep doing well for Raith Rovers with high performance levels and being consistent every Saturday.
“I have started every game this season and long may it continue.
“I feel like one of the older ones but I am only 23.”
When asked if he hopes to play at the highest level with Raith, he replied: “I think that’s a realistic aim.
“Considering the season we had last year as well, the play-offs are realistic for us and if we get in there, anything can happen.
“I have seen the club get better each year. The gaffer came in and saw things that needed changing and he’s done that right away.
“The club is getting better – it is only going forward.”
At the start of the season, Locke set Callachan a goal target, looking for him to hit double figures.
He has three to his name so far with the last coming against today’s opponents in the 3-2 win at Stark’s Park in September.
And Callachan insists it is time he started hitting the back of the net once more.
He added: “I am due a goal. I came close against Dunfermline a few times.
“I was quite disappointed as I felt I probably should have scored but hopefully I can maybe nick a couple on Saturday.
“Darren (assistant boss Jackson) works more with the forward-thinking players as he was one himself.
“We do shooting drills every day and he is always encouraging me to get forward and make runs off the strikers – add goals to my game which I know I need to do.”
While more goals are a personal target, Callachan is also taking aim at a maximum points return from the Dumbarton game and then Ayr at home on Tuesday night.
He added: “We just need to take it one game at a time.
“But realistically, we should be getting six points out of the next two games.
“If we play the way we have for the majority of the season, we will.”
