Dougie Imrie assesses Raith Rovers' incredible recent upsurge in results in 'crazy' championship

After losing their Fife league derby at Dunfermline Athletic 3-0 on March 14, Raith found themselves seventh in the table on 30 points from 28 matches having not won in five league games, putting them just three points ahead of both second bottom Airdrieonians and basement boys Ross County and seemingly firmly embroiled in a relegation battle.

However, four wins and just one loss in their five championship fixtures since mean that the Kirkcaldy outfit are safe from the drop with three games to spare, fifth in the standings on 42 points from 33 matches and just five points below third-placed Dunfermline and fourth-placed Arbroath in the Premiership play-off places ahead of a vital trip to play the Red Lichties – co-managed by David Gold and Colin Hamilton – tomorrow (Saturday) in a 3pm kick-off.

"We look forward to Saturday with belief,” Raith boss Dougie Imrie told Raith TV after Rovers’ latest league win, a 2-0 away success over 10-man Queen’s Park on Tuesday evening. “It won’t be easy. Arbroath have been excellent this season as well.

"Hammy and David have got them playing really well.

"The last few weeks have probably not been their best in the season but always going to Gayfield is a difficult venue and it will not be any easier on Saturday.

"So we need to be ready for what Arbroath throw at us.

"Hopefully the fans come along as well and get behind us.”

The current happier vibe around Stark’s Park compared to mid-March has been escalated further by the fact that long-serving Raith striker Lewis Vaughan finally reached 100 goals for the club – including friendlies – when netting a double at The City Stadium in midweek.

“Lewis is a top player at this level,” gaffer Imrie added. “He probably could play higher but unfortunately he’s picked up some really bad injuries throughout his career which hasn’t helped that.

"But we’re just delighted to have him. He’s a lovely kid, great around the dressing room, brilliant trainer on the pitch, gives his all every day and trains like it’s his last day in the game and that’s what you always ask for as a professional.

"And Lewis is right at the top of that as a model professional for any young kid.

"He’s been through a lot in his own career but the determination and drive he’s got to get back to the level he’s still playing at is a testament to Lewis Vaughan.

"Getting his 100th goal for the football club will be a special moment for him as well.”

When asked about the overall recent displays of a Raith side who have won each of their last three league games as well as beating Inverness Caledonian Thistle 4-1 in the KDM Evolution Trophy final, Imrie added: “The players are fighting for every ball. I thought throughout the team we had some really good performances (against Queen’s Park).

"I made some changes just to try and keep some legs for Saturday. It was difficult for Queen’s Park when they went down to 10 men, we had a lot of the ball and probably should have scored a lot more goals but it wasn’t to be.

"But I think Queen’s Park had only lost three home games this season before playing us, so to come away to a very difficult venue against a team who have been excellent at home shows how well we did. I thought we were excellent from start to finish.”