Olè! Raith’s Ross Matthews studies Spanish during lockdown

Ross Matthews has been learning a foreign language as he looks to fill up his time during the lengthy pre-season lockdown months.
Raith's Ross matthews in action against Forfar last season. (Pic: Fife Photo Agency)Raith's Ross matthews in action against Forfar last season. (Pic: Fife Photo Agency)
Raith's Ross matthews in action against Forfar last season. (Pic: Fife Photo Agency)

The popular midfielder has been taking part in a Spanish course run by the PFA whilst he awaits a return to training as Rovers get ready to play Championship football next season.

He says after holiday plans went awry he looked for other activities to take part in as well as keeping his fitness levels up.

“I’d planned holidays,” he says.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I was going on Robbie Thomson’s stag do and I had a holiday booked with my girlfriend but they both got cancelled, though everyone’s in the same boat.

“I’ve been keeping myself busy. I’ve been trying to get myself into a routine of doing things and keeping myself fit.

“The PFA put me on a course to learn Spanish so that’s been taking up a bit of my time!

“I’ve probably got no reason to learn Spanish but I’ve been doing it once a week.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I’ve always wanted to learn a language and the PFA were running a free course.

“A few other guys are on it so it’s been quite good. It’s kept me busy - there’s only so much fitness you can do!”

The 24-year-old has been adjusting to a summer like he’s never experienced before and says he is even looking forward to getting back to the gruelling work of pre-season training.

“This would have been the first week back,” he says.

“Usually every player hates pre-season training but I think everyone is dying to get back!

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It’s quite strange. This is the first time since I left school where I’ve had this time and not been in pre-season.

“I’ve met up with a few of the boys with social distancing.

“Brad Spencer lives not too far from me so I’ve seen him a couple of times and everyone’s been keeping in touch through the group chat.

“When it was announced we were going up we all had a wee drink together on Zoom!”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Matthews says once the season does get underway – in whichever form it takes – he is confident of a season to look forward to for Raith.

“I think we deserve to be in the Championship after last season. It looks like it’s going to be a good league with Hearts and Dunfermline in there and everyone is confident we will have a good season playing there.

“We’ve got a good team. We’re a young team, but we have some experienced players in there too and I think we were an exciting team to watch last season.

“We don’t know who is going to be signed next season but the base of the team that have signed for next season is looking really good.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I’m one of the players on the additional months through furlough. Obviously it’s hard to get stuff signed at the moment but I’m hoping so.”

A further frustration for Matthews is his desire to continue with the good form he showed in the Rovers engine room last year.

He says: “I felt like I had a good season so it makes it even more frustrating that we’ve got this long break because I wanted to kick on, especially if we’re going up to the Championship, because I felt I was playing well.” He added: I’m just desperate to get back playing.”

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspapers - the Fife Free Press, Fife Herald, St Andrews Citizen and East Fife Mail.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the highest standards in the world. The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers and consequently the advertising that we receive. We are now more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you

Allan Crow, Editor, Fife Free Press

Related topics: