Now, 10 years on from the 3-0 win that resulted in a DVD release, the Kirkcaldy club will aim to kick off the next decade with another Fife derby glory day at East End Park on Saturday.

The all-ticket New Year clash, the third meeting of the teams this season, looks set to go ahead with no pitch inspection planned due to East End Park's undersoil heating.

Rovers manager John McGlynn is looking forward to sending his team into the derby cauldron after two consecutive postponements over the Christmas period.

"These big games are what everyone is in football for," he told SportsPress.

"Whether it's been Cowdenbeath, East Fife or Dunfermline we've always had a big derby game to look forward at New Year every season I've been here — and there's always that bit more excitement.

"We did well the last time we were at East End Park, which means we can go there with confidence, but it's hard to tell what effect our lack of recent games will have had.

"We just have to hope the adrenalin of the derby atmosphere and the big crowd carries the players through.

"It's a fresh start, and everyone is desperate to get back playing football."

McGlynn has used his contacts at his previous club, Hearts, to source training facilities as the big freeze forced his players indoors.

"We've managed to maintain football related training, which is as good as we could have possibly done given the weather," he said.

"If we didn't have the use of Hearts academy, some of our training would have been compromised. We're very grateful to have access to their indoor academy.

"As a result, training has been very spirited. The players are training hard and looking sharp.

"The break we've had has allowed us to forget all about our poor performance against Airdrie. We're now looking very positively towards this game and hoping to put on a show."

Rovers' derby rivals were expected to challenge for the First Division title this season but the Pars sit just three points ahead of the Kirkcaldy men after 18 games.

Nonetheless, McGlynn believes Jim McIntyre's side are the top attacking side in the league.

"They are a good attacking team, and it's very difficult to stop them from playing entirely," he said. "Even the game we won, they still created some good chances.

"For me, Dunfermline are the best team we've played. I know Dundee are winning the league, but Dunfermline have got a very good team.

"We'll have to be at our best and make it very difficult for them, which would stop them getting the chances they have been against us."

Rovers have been boosted by the return to fitness of club captain Iain Davidson and winger Iain Williamson, both of whom have been missing since October with knee injuries.

"They are more or less fit," McGlynn explained. "They haven't played in any games, but they're as ready as they're going to be."

Rovers will be without defender Dougie Hill who is suspended. Laurie Ellis' wife gave birth on Boxing Day, but the left back is available.

McGlynn confirmed on Tuesday that Raith had, as yet, received no approach from Dundee United to speak to him despite strong speculation linking him with the vacant Tannadice hot seat.


Loan players extend their stay

TWO loan strikers from Dundee United have signed extended deals to keep them at Stark's Park.

Johnny Russell's loan has been extended to the end of the season, while Kevin Smith has signed for another month.

McGlynn had hoped to tie up Smith for longer but as the player is over 21, the rules over emergency loans mean he can only be secured on a short-term basis.

"It's an area we cannot afford to run out of," McGlynn explained.It keeps everyone on their toes."

"We're hoping we can come up with the right combination that gets us back scoring goals again.

"The break and the freshness that comes with it will hopefully get the strikers, and the team as a whole, back playing the way they were earlier in the season."

Midfielder Greg Cameron has returned to Dundee United and is not expected to rejoin Raith.