Take Parkhead positives into Saturday
3912084 SSFF celtic raith Raith players salute the travelling support - Raith Rovers against Celtic FC at Parkhead, Glasgow in the Scottish Communities League Cup
RAITH Rovers manager Grant Murray hopes to take the positives from Parkhead into Saturday’s First Division match against Partick Thistle.
Rovers gave a good account of themselves in the Scottish Communities League Cup tie at Celtic on Tuesday night, levelling the match at 1-1 before eventually going down 4-1 to the Scottish champions.
Murray was pleased with aspects of the performance and is now looking for his team to end Thistle’s 100 per cent start to the league, while continuing his own unbeaten record at Stark’s Park.
“Saturday is going to be a very difficult game,” Murray said.
“Partick are unbeaten in the league, scoring goals and playing with confidence.
“But we’re at home and we’ve got to take a lot of positives away from Parkhead.
“We competed, and passed the ball, against the champions of Scotland.
“We want to be a passing team - and I’ve expressed that to the guys.
“We’ve created chances when we’ve moved the ball - and that’s what we’ll be looking for on Saturday.”
Rovers were undone by the movement and finishing of Gary Hooper, who scored all four Celtic goals, leaving Murray impressed.
“I’d love to have 11 Gary Hoopers in my team,” Murray said.
“Celtic’s movement up top is so sharp in pulling defenders out of their areas.
“It’s a great learning curve for our players going up against top internationals.
“Coming to Celtic Park was always going to be difficult, and when you go behind early in makes it an uphill battle.
“But credit to the guys, they got themselves back in the game, scored a goal, and had a chance after that.
“But once Celtic got their third we were chasing the ball.
“They are playing against top European sides in the Champions League this season but my guys can come away with their heads held high.
“They gave it everything they had. It’s been a good cup run, particularly the result against Ross County in the last round.”
While disappointed with the turn-out of just under 15,000 fans at Parkhead, Raith are hopeful of receiving proceeds in the region of £60,000 from the tie.
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Weather for Kirkcaldy
Tuesday 18 June 2013
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 10 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: West
