On loan Rangers teen and ex-Hibernian legend earn praise from Raith Rovers gaffer Dougie Imrie
Raith Rovers gaffer Dougie Imrie has hailed two squad members at very differing ends of the age scale for their respective achievements of the past few days.
While Rovers’ 19-year-old on loan Rangers midfielder Calum Adamson has been picked in head coach Tony Docherty’s Scotland under-21s squad for friendlies in Pinatar, Spain, against Ukraine under-21s (on Thursday, November 12) and USA under-21s (on Sunday November 15), veteran defender Paul Hanlon, 36, reached 100 Raith appearances by playing in the 4-0 away league win against Arbroath on October 31.
"It's tremendous for the kid," Imrie told Raith TV when referring to Adamson’s call-up. "I've loved having him in the building. He's been unbelievable since he's come in.
"And it's great for him, it's great for the club to get that recognition as well.
"But certainly for Calum. He was disappointed the last time he was called up and couldn't go because of his injury.
"So it's great to see him included again. It shows he's doing something well for Tony to select him for the squad this time, albeit it's two friendlies in Pinatar.
"We wish Calum well, we want to see young players doing well and Calum's certainly doing that here at the club at the moment.
"And Paul has been different class for me since I’ve come to the club. He is a model profesional, he sets his own standard every day in training and in every game he’s colossal at the back.
"Regardless of who he’s playing beside he’s just a true leader. You can see the career that he’s had, you don’t have that career for being not a good leader and certainly the way he conducts himself day to day is a credit to Paul.
"I actually said to him the other day: ‘Hopefully we can get another 100 appearances out you’.
"Paul’s different class to work with and it’s a great accolade for him to get to 100 games for Raith Rovers.”
Imrie was also asked about the contribution of on loan Cardiff City goalkeeper Luke Armstrong when making just his second appearance for the club in the 1-1 KDM Evolution Trophy draw at Hamilton Accies on Tuesday night, before holders Raith were dumped out of the competition 5-3 on penalties by the William Hill League one high flyers.
The Kirkcaldy boss added: “Luke’s waited a long time for his opportunity and I thought in the game he was fine.
"He can’t do anything about the goal. He’s made a good save and then he’s expecting somebody to be there to help him.
"Unfortunately for us we switch off and Hamilton capitalise.
"When I look back at the game I think we did enough to win it. But when you don't take the big opportunities that came our way you’re always susceptible to losing the game, albeit we drew.
"Penalties are always a lottery. Hamilton took theirs and we didn’t. We missed one and we were out the cup, but we’ve got bigger games to come. We’re obviously disappointed to go out as the holders but we don’t want to dwell too much on it.
"We did enough in the game to win. When we don’t take big chances that’s always going to come back and bite you.”
Raith, second in the William Hill Championship with 24 points from 13 matches, can go top of the table above current leaders Partick Thistle with a draw or better against Dunfermline Athletic in tonight’s Fife derby at Stark’s Park, which kicks off at 7.30pm.