Goalkeeper Josh Rae eyes Raith Rovers century of appearances in final year of contract

And Rae, a virtual ever present between the sticks this term, was this week asked by the Fife Free Press if he’d given much thought to his contract situation.

The Croy-born ace replied: “Not really, I'm just taking it game at a time. Just trying to do well for the team, and as long as I keep improving and the team keeps improving, I'm happy.

"Whenever it gets to that stage that I have to talk about next season, then I'll be happy to do so.

"But until then I'm just focussing on a game at a time, and trying to do the best that I can possibly do, and take it from there.

"This season has been so far, so good, for me I'd say. The more games I play for the club, I feel like I'm getting better and better.

"I’m loving it here and I actually checked the other day, I think I'm 16 or 17 games off 100 appearances, so that's an aim for me, and I want to get there as quick as possible.

"It would be a huge honour to reach 100 appearances for the club, and I'm loving being here, working with and for the boys and the gaffer is amazing.

"I feel like it was a club that I needed after a tough time at St Johnstone, so they've been amazing for me.”

Rae said his form had been helped by Rovers signing Wales under-21 pick Luke Armstrong on loan from Cardiff City for this term.

He added: "Luke is pushing me on every single day and he's a really good young goalkeeper. So that's what you want, someone to push you.

"He's a really good shot-stopper.

"In the shooting and stuff at the end of training, he pulls off some real good saves. He's only young as well and he'll be learning a lot as well coming up here.

"It's a different experience for him, which I think is important at that age.

"He was obviously disappointed he didn't play for Wales under-21s recently after being picked in the squad, but he really enjoyed it and it'll be an experience for him as well.

"I think he's been away a few times now and it's good for him. We just need to keep pushing each other every single day.”

When Rae was asked if he hopes Raith gaffer Dougie Imrie signs another goalie in January so he has back-up next time Armstrong is away with an international squad, he replied: “No, whatever happens, happens. That's up to him. We'll just take it as it comes.

“I’d say Jai Rowe would be top of the queue to be an outfield player in goal if required but I think it's up to the gaffer what he does whenever that time comes around again.”

When asked his aims for Raith for the remainder of this season, Rae said: “We just need to take it game at a time. We had an aim at the start of the season and it was just to better last season.

"There will be bumps along the road, and not everything's going to go our way.

"So, it's important to bounce back, and as long as we can better last season, then I think that's a bonus.”