Dunfermline defender Kevin Rutkiewicz has admitted that if there was one match he’d have chosen not to miss it would have been Saturday’s top-of-the-table Fife derby against Raith Rovers.
After being sent off against Queen of the South last weekend, the former St Johnstone man has had a few days to come to terms with being banned for the big match. But the passing of time hasn’t made the prospect any easier to stomach.
“It hit me almost straight away after I was sent off that I would be suspended for the next game,” the centre back said. “We were 1-0 up at the time and I didn’t have any worries that the boys would still go on to win the match, which they did comfortably in the end.
“But it was already hitting home that I would miss the biggest first division match of the season. It’s the game that everybody is talking about and there should be a capacity crowd.
“It’s matches like this one that I came to Dunfermline for. If we win we’ll go four points clear with two games to go.
“From Raith’s point of view, they’ve been top for a long time this season and will be determined to get back there. It’s got the makings of a great occasion and I’m so disappointed that I won’t be able to play in it.
“If there’s one game I would have wanted to be involved in it was this one, and I’m not going to try to pretend otherwise.
“It would have been the most important match I’d have been involved in since I played for St Johnstone and we beat Morton to win the championship.”
Although Rutkiewicz won’t be able to take the pitch at East End Park, he will still be bringing his experience to bear on matchday.
“I’ll definitely be in the dressing room before kick-off for the younger players if they need me in any way. It’s all about the team and I’ll do anything I can to help get us a win.
“The only saving grace for me is that the league won’t be won on Saturday, even though the result will go a long way to sorting it out.
“Hopefully, I can get back in the team for our last two matches, but I’m well aware that if the lads get a good result against Raith that will be very difficult.”