'Over the moon' Raith Rovers boss Dougie Imrie's warning ahead of cup final
Raith Rovers manager Dougie Imrie reckons his team’s 5-3 KDM Evolution Trophy semi-final penalty shoot-out victory at Airdrieonians following a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes can be the catalyst for mounting a strong push for the Premiership play-offs.
Imrie’s second tier side now face a cup final against William Hill League One leaders Inverness Caledonian Thistle, lifting spirits ahead of a bid which currently has Raith fifth and three points off the play-off spots ahead of Saturday’s league trip to Ross County.
“I’m absolutely delighted for everyone associated with Raith Rovers,” Imrie told Raith TV post match at the Excelsior Stadium. "I’m over the moon.
"As a young boy growing up all you dream of is getting to cup finals and it’s no different as a manager.
"I’m so proud of everyone tonight. The players gave everything.
"It’s a wonderful occasion that we look forward to.
"It should be a catalyst. We’ve got 10 massive games left and it’s up to the group where they want to go.
"They’ve got an opportunity to win a cup final but it won’t be easy.
"Inverness have been excellent this season under Scott Kellacher. They had a fantastic win over Ayr United in the other semi-final.
"I thought on the night we were fully deserving of the win in 90 minutes. I thought the boys were excellent and it probably should have been a lot more.
"I don’t think Airdrie really threatened Josh (Rae) at any point. Albeit the goal we conceded was poor from our perspective, we don’t stop the cross and we don’t deal with the ball from the back post.
"But take nothing away from the group. Dylan Easton scores a fantastic solo effort fit to win any game. It was disappointing for Airdrie to lose a semi-final on penalties but it’s jubilation for ourselves.
"But the character we showed to score five great penalties shows what’s in the building.
"But we have to play like that every week.
"They showed tonight how good they can be and they have to believe in that.
"I’m demanding all the time because I think there’s good football players here, but they need to believe they’re good footballers.
"If they can play like that between now and the end of the season I’m pretty sure we’ll win more games than we lose.”