Raith boss Gary Locke insists he will not be using Ian Cathro’s after-match comments as motivation before tonight’s William Hill Scottish Cup replay against Hearts at Tynecastle.
The Jambos manager raised eyebrows following Sunday’s draw at Stark’s Park when he said he did not know the date for the replay as he expected his side to win at the first time of asking.
Locke, though, is just fully focused on his own team and the fact that if Rovers can win in Edinburgh they will have secured a fifth round tie against Hibs.
When asked if he would be using Cathro’s comments as motivation, Locke replied: “Not at all. Every manager is different and we all have our own way of doing things.
“For us, the replay at Tynecastle is good financially.
“I wanted to win on Sunday but this will help finances and we want to get a result.
“There is pressure on Hearts but there is pressure on us too.
“You look at the draw and it’s a potential Edinburgh derby. We have to hope that’s not the case.
“We want to go to Tynecastle, get a result and make sure it’s us playing Hibs in the next round.
“We still very much have a huge part to play in whether there is an Edinburgh derby or not.
“It’s up to us. For me, it’s a great chance. It’s a quick turnaround but we are ready.”
He added: “We are delighted with the way we played, especially in the second half.
“But this is a different prospect altogether, playing Hearts at Tynecastle.
“It’s a great test for the young lads especially and it’s one we should all look forward to.
“Hopefully we can go there and play as well as we did in the second half.
“In the first half on Sunday, we had a game-plan to restrict Hearts. They had a lot of possession but Kevin Cuthbert didn’t have a lot to do.
“It was our mistake that let them in for the goal, but other than that it had gone to plan.
“In the second half we got a few more bodies forward and we played well.
“The first half wasn’t a case of giving Hearts too much respect. I never do that to anyone.
“But if you open up against them, they have players who will murder you.
“We stayed in the game and we looked dangerous on the counter-attack.
“In the second half, we kept the same formation but we got more of the ball and did well.”
Raith secured their draw on Sunday courtesy of a Declan McManus goal – his first since October –and Locke admitted that he was pleased for the on-loan Fleetwood Town striker.
The manager added: “I was delighted for Declan. Over the moon.
“That’s the kind of goal his play has deserved.
“Strikers get judged on the goals they score and that’s right, but his workrate for the team is incredible.
“I’d left him out for a few games but that goal will do wonders for his confidence and I can already see that.
“But hopefully the whole team will take a boost.”
The assist for McManus’s goal came from a shot by sub Rudi Skacel. Despite that, the former Hearts hero is assured of a warm reception at Tynecastle although Locke insists the player is just fully focused on doing well for Raith.
Locke said: “Rudi went on because he is the one player in the squad who is always capable of getting a goal.
“He’s been unlucky because a few chances have fallen to his right foot.
“But I was glad that it fell to his left foot on Saturday because it’s a wand.
“Rudi is going back to Tynecastle and he will get a good ovation.
“But all he is focusing on, like me, is doing as well as he can for Raith Rovers.
“He’s a great pro and nobody was happier when we scored against Hearts than Rudi.
“That goes for everyone at the club because we felt we deserved the result.”
