“Keep believing” was the philosophy of a certain former Raith Rovers defender, and while Marvin Andrews’ faith may have spurred the Kirkcaldy club on to second division silverware two years ago, current centre-back Mark Campbell reckons the existing crop of players could take a leaf out of the Trinidadian’s book.
Four games will decide whether John McGlynn’s side make a triumphant return to the SPL, or fall short.
With a trip to relegated Stirling Albion on Saturday, Campbell insists Rovers can go on and secure promotion.
He said, “It’s going to be a difficult game against Stirling and they’ll be under no pressure, so it’s going to be equally as difficult as it has been in recent weeks.
“But at the end of the day it’s still in our hands. If we win our four games, we go away with the title.”
Stirling’s relegation was confirmed last weekend when they drew with Dundee, but Rovers will be aware of the risks the Binos pose.
The sides have had three close encounters so far, and it was Stirling who brought Raith’s unbeaten run in the league to a halt in October.
Rovers will be heartened by their 3-1 win in Stirling on February 5, but the fact they needed a late John Baird strike to earn a 2-1 success in the clubs’ last meeting three weeks later is evidence enough to suggest it could be a tight affair.
Campbell scored late on in last weekend’s 2-2 draw with Cowdenbeath-a fixture which he viewed as two points dropped in the title race.Silence for CoyleHe said, “It wasn’t through lack of effort or desire on our part that we drew the game, but who’s to say it wasn’t a vital point at the end of the season?”
Rovers head to the Doubletree Dunblane Stadium at the end of an emotional week following the death of former defender Ronnie Coyle on Tuesday night.
The 46-year-old lost his long battle with leukaemia and many Raith supporters now hope their team can now go on and secure promotion in his honour in the coming weeks.
There will be a minute’s silence for Coyle before kick-off on Saturday.
While the events of the past week have focused the minds of everyone at Stark’s Park, Rovers boss John McGlynn has urged his players not to overlook the challenge of Stirling today-particularly with next weekend’s derby at Dunfermline looming large.
McGlynn was disappointed with the performance against Cowden last weekend, and hopes his players will put that behind them.
He said, “Across the board we made a lot of bad passes and errors, but we managed to salvage a point out of the game.”Jocky’s disappointmentHe added, “Nothing’s really changed as a result of the draw on Saturday we have four games left and four wins mean we go up.
“I’d far rather be in a promotion race than a relegation battle because the pressure down there is enormous but in that respect Stirling may relax as it’s over now so we have to be prepared and focused.”
Midfielder Stephen Simmons and defender Laurie Ellis are likely to come back into contention, while it remains to be seen whether McGlynn keeps the faith with keeper Andy McNeil whose howler gifted Cowdenbeath a goal or recall David McGurn.
Stirling boss Jocky Scott has targeted this match as the game in which his men finally gain a win under his management.
He said, “I remain disappointed that we did not make a better fight of it, but we will battle on and I am looking for us to go out and break my duck as manager of Stirling Albion with a win in this game.
“Every thing we do now is about getting prepared for next season, but I want us to go out of this division with a flourish, and beating Raith Rovers would be a good way to start.”
Binos have ruled out Martyn Corrigan with Scott Buist likely to miss out with a back injury. Chris Aitken is included, but Scott is delaying selection until he learns how Brian Allison and Jonathan Brown have got on in fitness tests.