As Raith Rovers target fourth Challenge Cup win, Dougie Imrie assesses tonight's semi-final at Airdrieonians

Ahead of tonight’s KDM Evolution Trophy semi-final at fellow William Hill Championship outfit Airdrieonians, Raith Rovers manager Dougie Imrie has reiterated his strong belief that the Kirkcaldy side have “a great opportunity” to go all the way and win the tournament.

Winners of tonight’s tie, which kicks off at 7.45pm at the Excelsior Stadium, will take on League One leaders Inverness Caledonian Thistle – 2-1 winners at Ayr United in the other semi-final last night – in the final on either the weekend of March 28-29 or the weekend of April 4-5.

Dougie Imrie is two games away from leading Raith Rovers to cup glory (Pic by Paul Devlin/SNS Group)

placeholder image — Dougie Imrie is two games away from leading Raith Rovers to cup glory (Pic by Paul Devlin/SNS Group)

And Imrie told the Fife Free Press: “Like I said a few weeks ago, I think all the clubs that are left have a great opportunity to win this competition now.

"The prizemoney is really good (£150,000 goes to the winning club) as well for club finances, for any team that can win it.”

Two-goal hero Matej Poplatnik celebrates after Raith Rovers won 2022 Challenge Cup final in 3-1 success over Queen of the South at Airdrie (Pic by Paul Devlin/SNS Group)

Defender Callum Fordyce is in the running to come back into the fold for Raith, who will be without injured pair, midfielder Shaun Byrne and attacker Paul McMullan.

Raith have a fine record in the Challenge Cup, having won it in 2013-2014 courtesy of a 1-0 final triumph over Rangers at Easter Road, shared the tournament with fellow finalists Inverness Caley in 2019-2020 due to the showpiece being wiped out by the coronavirus pandemic and then prevailed again in 2022 by beating Queen of the South 3–1 at the Excelsior Stadium thanks to a Matej Poplatnik double.