After netting a hat-trick in last weekend”s league opener, new Raith Rovers hitman John Baird is hoping for more of the same when his side travel to take on Queen of the South.
The 24-year-old moved from Airdrie United to Stark’s Park in the summer and didn’t take long to endear himself to the Kirkcaldy faithful, scoring the bulk of the goals in Rovers’ 4-0 opening day victory over Partick Thistle.
Now the Rovers striker, who is again expected to start alongside fellow frontman Gregory Tade today, is determined to stake a claim for a regular first team berth by adding to his tally on the trip to Dumfries.
“You can’t ask for a better start to the season-I go into every game thinking I’m going to score goals and long may it continue,” he said.
“The support has been brilliant and the supporters have been excellent, especially with me just joining the club.
“We’ve got four good strikers at the club and you’ve got to stay on our toes to make sure you stay in the team.
“At the moment me and Gregory are doing that but that can change-we’ve got the three points, we’ve got the win bonus but we’ve got to look to the next week and we just need to keep on working hard and see what happens.
“Saturday’s another hard game for us.
“I imagine Queen of the South will be looking to win on their own patch but we’ve also got to start the season well away from home so we’ll just see where it takes us.”
Albeit after just one game, Raith currently sit proudly at the top of the first division table a position they actually found themselves in early on last season before finally finishing in seventh spot.Perfect startRovers have had the perfect start to this year’s league campaign thanks to Saturday’s 4-0 win over Thistle, but everyone at Stark’s Park is well aware of the threat their Palmerston hosts pose to them this weekend.
The Doonhamers had a disappointing opener away to Dundee and Rovers boss John McGlynn knows they will be looking to make amends for that 1-0 defeat in front of their own fans. “Queen of the South lost their first game so the pressure is already on them,” he said.
“They’ll be desperate to get the three points on the board.
“It’s a difficult place to go, as we know, but we will look to go out and play as well as we did on the previous two Saturdays.
“If we do that, it will take an equally good performance by our opponents to beat us.”
Club captain Iain Davidson will remain sidelined through suspension while injury keeps defender Mark Campbell from making his comeback, as the defender is still not ready for first team action despite returning to training.
Queens boss Kenny Brannigan is hoping that defender David Lilley and winger Allan Johnston come through lunchtime fitness tests to be included in his squad.
He said, “It is looking good for these guys and it would be great to have their experience on the pitch against a Raith Rovers side that will be flying after winning so well last Saturday.
“They are a well organised team but we will be going all out to take something from this game.”
Winger Willie McLaren is missing through suspension and Brannigan had hoped to include former Aberdeen, Dunfermline and Dundee midfielder Darren Young in a second game as a trialist, but Young took unwell on Friday morning and his presence is rated as doubtful.