It is not often you will see a side that has just been beaten 2-0 with big smiles on their faces immediately after the match.
However, the Raith Rovers players could afford to look happy if incredibly weary as they embarked on their warm-down following their defeat at Dens on Saturday as they had just learned that their place in the first division was secure for at least another season.
A combination of Ayr’s loss to Inverness and Airdrie only being able to draw with Queen of the South meant that the result against Dundee was rendered irrelevant.
Raith midfielder Allan Walker admitted his side’s achievement in staying up tastes even sweeter considering their late-season run-in, which will see them complete eight games in 17 days.
“It is a great relief to everyone that we are now safe,” he said.
“That was our main aim at the start of the season, to make sure Raith Rovers stayed in the first division.
“We have picked up the points we needed and the boys are very proud.
“It is magnificent for everyone connected with the club.”
Raith beat Dundee 1-0 last Wednesday at Stark’s Park but they had no answer to two second-half strikes from the Dark Blues on Saturday and ended the game with 10 men following David Armstrong’s sending-off for two bookable offences with just seven minutes left on the clock.
The first Dundee goal came courtesy of a Sean Higgins 25-yard free-kick while the second was a Gary Harkins penalty.
However, in the first half, Walker came close with a free-kick of his own and then Dundee keeper Derek Soutar made another great save from the Raith midfielder’s point-blank header.
“I think I should have netted with my header,” he admitted.
“It was a good reaction save but when you are six yards out you should score.
“I also had a chance with a free-kick. I noticed the keeper leaving a big side free so I thought I would try for there but once again he made a good save.”
There was no time for extensive Raith celebrations on Saturday as they have another league game to play tonight against Airdrie.
However, Walker then revealed that all the players will shortly raise a glass or two together when he ties the knot.
“I am getting married in the summer so while the pressure is off on the park, there’s loads more off it,” he smiled.
“I am having a stag do in Benidorm with my friends and family but the lads in the team will miss out as they have booked their holidays around my wedding so they can all be there on the big day which will be great.”
Not surprisingly, Walker’s manager John McGlynn was a happy man and he said, “I am delighted for everyone at the club.
“We have had a good cup run, which was very special for us, but the priority was always to stay in the league.
“The players have been up against it with the number of games they have had to play but now it gives us an opportunity to build for next season.
“I believe we are a worthy addition to the first division.”‘Ropey’ SoutarThe goalkeeper who denied Walker on two occasions, Derek Soutar, admitted that the stomach bug which had floored him last week almost called a premature halt to his first league start of the season on Saturday.
“Twenty minutes into the game, I was in big trouble and thought I would have to rush off to the toilet,” he said.
“I have not had the best of weeks but with Bully (Tony Bullock) getting injured, I was asked to come in to train on Friday.
“I was not great but I managed to do some work.
“I had taken a few anti-sickness and diarrhoea pills before the game and in the warm-up.
“But big Rab Douglas had to rush round to give me a couple more after 20 minutes. I think I have taken six in total today,” he laughed.
“But it was a good result in the end and a great way to finish the season at Dens.
“I have managed to keep a clean sheet and hopefully I have shown the manager I can do a job for him next season.”
That manager Gordon Chisholm remarked, “There were a lot of things said this week and a lot of disappointment.
“We asked them to go out and work today and they have done so.
“They have won 2-0 and I think they sent out a message that it does matter to them.”