McGlynn braced for player exodus
Raith Rovers manager John McGlynn
RAITH boss John McGlynn insists he understands the club’s decision to make further cut backs - but fears he could be faced with a player exodus.
Rovers will operate with a mix of full-time and part-time players next season, and that is likely to see a number of players head out the Stark’s Park exit door.
However, McGlynn, who has taken a wage cut to sign a one-year contract extension, is happy to embrace the challenge, even if he loses a number of first team stars.
“It’s no secret that the football club has struggled to get by every month this year,” he said.
“Once again, you have to decide whether you want to risk administration and not having a football club at all, or try to cut your cloth accordingly.
“Common sense has to prevail and people have to be realistic. Unfortunately, it doesn’t make anyone’s job any easier.
“The budget was cut a year ago because Dunfermline went out of the league – that was the main reason but not the only one.
“Dunfermline are now back in the league but the fact there has been a massive hit in the pockets of directors this season means they would find it very difficult to forecast larger crowds for next season.”
McGlynn now has just six players contracted to the club for next season – first team regulars Joe Hamill, Brian Graham, Reece Donaldson and Grant Murray – and youth players Lewis Vaughan and Scott Main.
McGlynn held talks with most of his out of contract players this week but with reduced terms on offer, he admits that he could be powerless to prevent his best players from leaving.
“If that happens, we’ll pick up the pieces and get on with it,” he said.
“The way that I work, I would hope that I would always be putting a competitive team on the park.
“We’ve always got the players fit and well-organised.
“There’s an opinion that everyone’s cutting back, so there will need to be a reality check among players to recognise that, similar to myself, they will be asked to take a wage cut.
“We had players in a similar situation last year and if you look back now a year on, how many have bettered themselves?
“Maybe Andrew McNeil is the only one who has consistently played in a team that finished above us in the league.
“If what managers at other clubs are telling me is true, then they are cutting back similar to ourselves. Maybe the grass is not going to be greener elsewhere.”
One player who has already made his mind up to leave Raith is left back Willie Dyer, who has indicated on Twitter that he has signed for first division rivals Morton.
The Press understands that both Iain Davidson and John Baird have been offered terms to remain at Raith on a full-time basis, but both are also considering offers from other clubs.
Meanwhile, Raith’s backroom staff – which consists of assistant manager Paul Smith, kit man Brian Marr, goalkeeping coach Wayne Henderson and physio Gordon McEwan – will all be retained for next season.
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Sunday 19 May 2013
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