Raith Rovers manager Grant Murray has warned his players to be especially wary of a wounded Livingston side when they visit Stark’s Park this afternoon.
Murray’s men will be hoping to keep up their push for a top four spot with three points at the expense of the bottom club, who of course are managed by former Raith manager John McGlynn.
But the present Rovers boss insists Livi could well be at their most dangerous after their league position was worsened by the SFA’s decision to dock them five points for breaching SPFL tax rules.
That sanction cut Livi seven points adrift at the foot of the table, but Murray believes it will only serve to fire up today’s visitors.
“They will come to Stark’s Park with a point to prove,” he stressed.
“The one thing the players will look upon is that they can only do what they can do out on the pitch.
“These things have happened unfortunately at other clubs and the players there have looked to do their bit, so Livingston will want to go out there and claw those points back.
“It’s happened to other teams and they’ve almost always had a reaction.
“You look at Dundee when they had points deducted in the First Division, they went on that unbeaten run and managed to get the points back.
“Hearts last season had a wee lease of life after they got the points deduction.
“It almost gave them a freshness to go out and play and try to win games of football, so we’ve got to be wary of that.”
While Livi will therefore head to Kirkcaldy keen to get themselves closer to the pack in the Championship table, Murray is focused on what his team can do.
“We’re at home and we want to build up more home wins than we’ve had in recent weeks,” he continued.
“We’ve got to be wary of them and regardless of what happened to Livingston in recent weeks we know it’s going to be a difficult game.
“It’s important time in the season with two home games and two away games coming up they are all important games of football.
“You do have to look after your own patch and make sure you are doing what’s right, and hope that other teams slip up in other games.”
Defender Craig Barr returned to competitive action following knee surgery in the reserves in midweek but is unlikely to be risked this afternoon, while goalkeeper Kevin Cuthbert remains out as he recovers from his shoulder injury.